IV Haldol?

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Can Haldol be given IV? Ive given it that way, per order before. But the other night a doc gave me an order as IM, saying that you can NOT give it IV. Ive looked in the drug book at work and it doesnt list IV as a route. Anyone know?

[EmerNurse, BSN, RN]

The only Haldol on my unit is 5mg in 1cc and it states clearly on the vial "for IM use only". Never saw it ordered IV and I've never given it any way but IM (along with the "2" as in 5/2).

[babynurselsa, RN]

https://online.epocrates.com/u/10a3936/Haldol+Lactate?mode=SingleMatch&src=PK

Hope this helps.

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

Yes.

Check out this link:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/has-anyone-given-haldol-iv-160100.html?highlight=haldol

Wanted to point out that Haldol lactate is ok IV; not Haldol decanoate. The decanoate is a longer acting version of the drug and cannot be given IV. Most of the Haldol you will see, I suspect, is of the lactate variety. But it does deserve some vigilance.

~faith,

Timothy.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I havent ever seen it written to give IV. But when we use it on an acute floor it is usually because the patient is physical and we probly arent able to keep an IV in anyway. Its one of those meds you have to sneek up on them with if ya know what i mean. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt.

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

We give it IV frequently in the ED; however, the vial does say for IM use only. Actually, probably the only time we give it IM is when a pt is very combative/agitated and we can't keep them still long enough to insert an IV.

[maolin]

Use caution with giving IV - it's a cranky drug and doesn't play well with other meds. Will form a pretty white precipitate with just about anything - big, good flush before & after.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There's a liability when we give meds against the advice of the manufacturer, especially if your dispensing pharmacy notifies you not to give it that way. If something happens the liability falls directly on the nurse (as always) and the MD.

When I see Haldol ordered IV, I call the MD and ask for it to be given IM. However, I have given it IV without incident several times. But I still make the call and document that.

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I have a question...If it says not for IV use & it is given this way even w/doctor's order.... Would the nurse be the one left holding the bag because of using the med incorrectly if there was a problem? I am a new nurse & this kind of thing really bothers me. If it days not for IV route why do it? Thanks

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

My opinion is that since MD's have a certain "off-label" leeway in precribing meds, that your phrase "using the med incorrectly" is open for interpretation. Lacking documented evidence of harm or potentional harm, does lower your/ the MD's risk. However, again, much is left up to interpretation (read: a jury of lay-persons vs. a panel of Pharm-D's.)

As the Decanoate version has seasame seed oil (sp?) in it, giving it IV has a well documented negative outcome. That's a definite booboo, if done. Lactate, having been given without documented (to MY personal knowledge only) negative effects related to the IV route, that would be harder to prove harm. The particulars of your situation would dictate just how much risk you are opening yourself up to. Like a facility policy, or lack there of , for example.

There, I'm done.

[Rabid Badger, BSN, RN]

I give haldol IV more often than IM. In fact I even had to go look it up a couple nights ago "what you can give haldol IM????"

Maybe because our patients usually have IV access due to their acuity, and its much easier to stick haldol IV in a port that is some distance from that patient rather than getting up close and poking them. They are less likely to hit you upside the head, and you don't need a sharp. I hate bringing a sharp into a potentially combative situation.

[IMustBeCrazy]

A nurse friend of mine had this happen, Haldol was ordered IV and the vial said "for IM use only". She called her nurse manager who then involved pharmacy. The pharmacist made a copy of the vial label with a handwritten note signed by pharmacist stating that it was acceptable to give this medication IV. She kept it for reference. Specifially it was Haldol Lactate.