Compare Haldol vs. Ativan
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps control your thoughts, calm agitation, and stabilize your mood.
Haldol (haloperidol) is less likely to cause weight gain and sedation, but more likely to cause movement disorders compared to other antipsychotics.
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3.1/ 5 average rating with 50 reviewsforHaldol
Helps you relax.
Ativan (lorazepam) is an effective medicine for occasional or short-term anxiety. It's less likely to have drug interactions, but more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms compared to similar drugs.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 642 reviewsforAtivan
Upsides
- Haldol (haloperidol) is available in a cheap, generic version.
- A monthly extended-release injection allows for more convenient dosing than a daily pill.
- Effective at relieving short-term anxiety.
- Can be used together with antidepressants to manage anxiety disorders. Especially helpful for anxiety symptoms while you wait for an antidepressant to kick in.
- Less likely to have drug interactions compared to other drugs like it, so it might be a better option if you're taking multiple medications.
Downsides
- Haldol (haloperidol) is an older medicine and has a lot more problematic side effects compared to newer antipsychotics.
- You might need routine blood tests and regular check-ups to make sure the medicine is working for you.
- Can cause memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
- Can be habit-forming, so it's not typically used for long-term treatment or for people who've had problems with drug or alcohol abuse.
- Compared to other similar medicines, Ativan (lorazepam) is more likely to cause withdrawal if you take it for a long time and then suddenly stop.
- Most people find that Ativan (lorazepam) gets less effective over time.
Used for
- Schizophrenia
- Behavioral disorder
- Tourette's syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$5.00
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$9.18
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Reviews
50 reviews so far
38%
saidit'sworth it
42%
saiditworked well
34%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Haldol (haloperidol)?
Leave a review642 reviews so far
71%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ativan (lorazepam)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Haldol (haloperidol) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
4possible side effects
- Sleepiness16%
- Dizziness7%
- Weakness4%
- Unsteadiness3%
Risks and risk factors
- Increased risk of death
- Elderly patients with dementia
- Blood disorders
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Drug interactions
- Shaking and restlessness
- Driving impairment
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Severe sedation with opioid use
- Taking with opioids
- Tolerance and dependence
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Taking Ativan (lorazepam) for longer than 4 weeks
- History of drug abuse
- Withdrawal
- Long-term use
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Memory problems