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fluoxetine vs haloperidol

Side-by-side comparison of fluoxetine and haloperidol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): ( 2.9 , 2.10 , 4.1 , 5.2 ) Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6: Fluoxetine is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6 enzyme pathway ( 7.7 ) Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Monitor TCA levels during coadministration with fluoxetine or when fluoxetine has been recently discontinued ( 5.2 , 7.7 ) CNS Acting Drugs: Caution should be used when taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs ( 7.2 ) Benzodiazepines: Diazepam – increased t½, alprazolam - further psychomotor performance decrement due to increased levels ( 7.7 ) Antipsychotics: Potential for elevation...

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to reduce your dose of haloperidol. Monitor yourself closely for any new side effects while taking both medications.

Drug Class
fluoxetine Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
haloperidol Typical Antipsychotic
Type
fluoxetine Prescription
haloperidol Prescription
Summary
fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is a medicine that can help treat depression and other mental health conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

haloperidol

Haloperidol is a medicine used to treat mental disorders. It can help reduce symptoms like hallucinations and confused thinking.

What It Treats
fluoxetine

Fluoxetine can treat major depressive disorder in adults and children. It also treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children. Fluoxetine can help with bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) and panic disorder. Sometimes, it is used with another medicine called olanzapine to treat depression related to bipolar disorder.

haloperidol

Haloperidol is used to manage symptoms of psychotic disorders. It can also control tics and vocal sounds in people with Tourette's Disorder. In children, it can treat severe behavior problems like being combative or overly excitable when other treatments haven't worked. It can also be used short-term for hyperactive children with impulsivity and difficulty paying attention.

How It Works
fluoxetine

Fluoxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin, fluoxetine can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, OCD, and other conditions.

haloperidol

Haloperidol works by changing the effect of certain natural chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, affect mood and behavior. By blocking dopamine, haloperidol helps to reduce psychotic symptoms.

Common Side Effects
fluoxetine
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Problems ejaculating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling anxious
  • Feeling weak
haloperidol
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Shaking
  • Slow movement
  • Restlessness
  • Changes in heart rhythm
FAERS Reports
fluoxetine
  • The medicine is interacting with another medicine 3,336
  • Harmful effect from different substances 3,316
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 3,233
  • Feeling tired 3,155
  • Death by suicide 2,904
haloperidol
  • The medicine is interacting with another medicine 1,663
  • A rare, life-threatening reaction to the drug 1,577
  • Weight gain 1,216
  • Movement problems 1,200
  • Poisoning from different substances 999
Serious Warnings
fluoxetine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior. Fluoxetine is not approved for use in children younger than 7 years old.

haloperidol

Haloperidol may increase the risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Haloperidol is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.

Pregnancy
fluoxetine

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluoxetine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking fluoxetine.

haloperidol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Haloperidol may cause side effects in newborns if taken during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking haloperidol while breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This fluoxetine vs haloperidol Comparison

fluoxetine is classified in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug class, while haloperidol sits within the Typical Antipsychotic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, fluoxetine has 15,944 submissions while haloperidol has 6,655. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to fluoxetine slows down the process that clears haloperidol from your system. this can cause the level of the antipsychotic drug to rise in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between fluoxetine and haloperidol - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.