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HelpTest ID HALO Haloperidol, Serum
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood immediately before next scheduled dose.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
Useful For
Optimizing haloperidol dosage
Monitoring patient compliance
Assessing toxicity
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Haloperidol, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Clinical Information
Haloperidol (Haldol) is a member of the butyrophenone class of neuroleptic drugs used to treat psychotic disorders (eg, schizophrenia). It is also used to control the tics and verbal utterances associated with Tourette syndrome and in the management of intensely hyperexcitable children who fail to respond to other treatment modalities.
The daily recommended oral dose for patients with moderate symptoms is 0.5 to 2.0 mg; for patients with severe symptoms, 3 to 5 mg may be used. However, some patients will respond only at significantly higher doses.
Haloperidol is metabolized in the liver to reduced haloperidol, its major metabolite.(1,2)
Use of haloperidol is associated with significant toxic side effects, the most serious of which include tardive dyskinesia, which can be irreversible, extrapyramidal reactions with Parkinson-like symptoms, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Less serious side effects can include hypotension, anticholinergic effects (blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention), and sedation. The risk of developing serious, irreversible side effects seems to increase with increasing cumulative doses over time.(1,3)
Reference Values
HALOPERIDOL:
5-17 ng/mL
REDUCED HALOPERIDOL:
10-80 ng/mL
Cautions
Potentially interfering drugs include hydroxyzine (interferes with haloperidol), tiagabine (interferes with reduced haloperidol), and quetiapine (interferes with internal standard resulting in artificially low haloperidol).
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday
Report Available
2 to 8 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
80173