Appendices
40
Appendix A: Antipsychotic Agents
Antipsychotic
a
Generic Name
(Brand Name) Indications and Dosage
Haloperidol (Haldol
®
)
Psychosis:
• Oral: 0.5 to 2 mg twice daily to three times daily (max: 20
mg/day)
Agitation associated with dementia (off-label):
• Oral: 0.25 to 2 mg daily; slowly increase dose based on
tolerability every 4 to 7 days (max: 6 mg daily in 1 or 2
divided doses). Recommend AGAINST first-line use of
haloperidol for non-emergent situations. If no response in
4 weeks, begin taper to discontinuation.
Agitation associated with delirium (off-label):
• Oral/IM: 0.5 to 2 mg once (for mild agitation).
• 5 to 10 mg once (for severe agitation).
• Repeat doses are based on clinical response.
• IV (severe agitation only): 2 mg once, followed by repeat
doses every 15 to 20 minutes while agitation persists.
Once delirium is controlled, may repeat a dose every 4 to
6 hours.
Olanzapine (Zyprexa
®
)
Depression (in combination with fluoxetine):
• Oral: 5 mg in the evening, titrate as tolerated. (max: 20
mg daily)
Agitation associated with dementia (off-label):
• Oral: 2.5 to 5 mg daily; increasing dose as tolerated (max:
10 mg daily)
• IM: 2.5 to 5 mg as one dose; can repeat 1.25 or 2.5 mg
dose up to 2 additional doses with at least 2 hours between
doses (max: 12.5 mg per episode)
• If no response in 4 weeks, begin taper to discontinuation.
Agitation associated with delirium (off-label):
• Oral: 5 mg daily for up to 5 days. For patients >60 years
old, 2.5 mg daily for up to 5 days
Pimavanserin
(Nuplazid
®
)
Parkinson Disease Psychosis:
• Oral: 34 mg once daily
