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Haloperidol + lorazepam
Haloperidol blocks dopamine receptors to reduce psychotic symptoms, while lorazepam enhances GABA signaling to provide sedation and anxiolysis.
Haloperidol blocks dopamine receptors to reduce psychotic symptoms, while lorazepam enhances GABA signaling to provide sedation and anxiolysis. Used for Acute agitation and psychosis, Acute behavioral disturbance in psychotic disorders.
At a glance
| Generic name | Haloperidol + lorazepam |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Haldol + Ativan |
| Sponsor | University of Arkansas |
| Drug class | Antipsychotic + benzodiazepine combination |
| Target | Dopamine D2 receptor (haloperidol); GABA-A receptor (lorazepam) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Neurology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that antagonizes dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways, reducing hallucinations and delusions. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that potentiates inhibitory GABA-A receptor signaling, producing anxiolytic and sedative effects. This combination is used to rapidly manage acute agitation and psychotic symptoms.
Approved indications
- Acute agitation and psychosis
- Acute behavioral disturbance in psychotic disorders
Common side effects
- Sedation
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism)
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Respiratory depression
- Dependence/withdrawal risk
Key clinical trials
- Haloperidol and Lorazepam for Delirium in Patients With Advanced Cancer (PHASE2)
- Haloperidol and Lorazepam in Controlling Symptoms of Persistent Agitated Delirium in Patients With Advanced Cancer Undergoing Palliative Care (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Intranasal Dexmedetomidine vs. Standard of Care for Emergency Department (ED) Procedural Sedation in the Older Adult (PHASE3)
- Meth-OD: A Study of IXT-m200 in Patients With Toxicity From Methamphetamine Overdose (PHASE2)
- A Comparison Study of the Efficacy of Quetiapine and Haloperidol in Agitated Adults in Emergency Room (PHASE4)
- Inhaled Loxapine vs Intramuscular (IM) Haloperidol + Lorazepam for Agitation (PHASE4)
- Pharmacovigilance in Gerontopsychiatric Patients (PHASE3)
- Lorazepam, Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, and Haloperidol Gel in Healthy Volunteers (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Haloperidol + lorazepam CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Haloperidol + lorazepam updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Arkansas portfolio CI