The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert that haloperidol may increase the risk of a prolonged QT interval, torsades de pointes, and sudden death when given intravenously or at higher-than-recommended doses. In new label warnings, the drug maker notes that the risk is even higher among patients with other risk factors for a prolonged QT interval. These include electrolyte abnormalities (especially hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia), cardiac abnormalities, hypothyroidism, familial long-QT syndrome, or therapy with other drugs that prolong the QT interval.
   Injectable haloperidol is FDA-approved only for intramuscular injection, but intravenous injection is relatively common as an off-label use, mainly for severe agitation in intensive care units. Electrocardiographic monitoring is recommended for patients receiving haloperidol intravenously.

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