Serenase Depot
Serenase depot is an injection used to treat severe mental health problems in adults that affect thoughts, feelings, or behavior.
How to Use
Dosage
The starting dose is usually 25–150 mg, and for older patients, 12.5–25 mg. Your doctor will adjust your dose to find the amount that works best for you.
Method
The medicine is given as an injection deep into a muscle by a doctor or nurse, usually once every 4 weeks.
The maximum dose is 300 mg every four weeks. For older patients, the dose usually won't exceed 75 mg every four weeks, unless your doctor deems it safe.
Possible Side Effects
- •Depression
- •Difficulty sleeping or feeling sleepy
- •Constipation
- •Dry mouth or more saliva
- •Problems with having sex
- •Irritation, pain, or pus at the injection site
- •Weight gain
- •Abnormal muscle tone
- •Headache
- •Upward rolling of eyes or rapid uncontrolled eye movements
- •Vision problems, such as blurred vision
- •Severe mental health problems (delusions, hallucinations)
- •Agitation or confusion
- •Epileptic seizures
- •Dizziness, including when standing or sitting up
- •Low blood pressure
- •Breathing difficulties (swelling around the voice box, vocal cord spasms, narrowed airways, shortness of breath)
- •Nausea, vomiting
- •Changes in blood count (low levels of various blood cells)
- •High levels of certain hormones (prolactin, antidiuretic hormone)
- •Low blood sugar
- •Changes in liver function (jaundice, hepatitis, liver failure, reduced bile flow)
- •Skin problems (rash, itching, increased sensitivity to sunlight, peeling skin, vasculitis, heavy sweating)
- •Muscle tissue breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
- •Uncontrolled muscle spasms or twitches (including neck spasms)
- •Difficulty or inability to open the mouth
- •Stiff muscles and joints
- •Difficulty or inability to urinate completely
- •Prolonged and painful erection
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (impotence)
- •Decreased sex drive or reduced sexual desire
- •Changes in menstrual cycle (missed, long, heavy, painful periods)
- •Breast problems (pain, unexpected milk production, male breast enlargement)
- •Fluid retention (swelling)
- •High or low body temperature
- •Difficulty walking
- •Weight loss
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to haloperidol or any other ingredient in the medicine.
- Do not use this medicine if your awareness is reduced or your reactions are unusually slow.
- Do not use if you have Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, or progressive supranuclear palsy.
- Do not use if you have heart disease, such as an abnormal heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval), heart failure, a recent heart attack, or low potassium levels.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, as some medicines do not mix well with Serenase depot injection.
Show 1 more warnings
- Serenase depot can cause serious problems like heart issues, uncontrolled body movements, or a rare but severe condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It can also cause severe allergic reactions and blood clots. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these.
Use in Elderly Patients
Avoid use in older adults. Anticholinergic. Sedative. Increases the risk of cardiovascular events, QT prolongation and orthostatic hypotension. Increases risk of falls, extrapyramidal symptoms and cognitive impairment. Reduces the effectiveness of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. (updated 10.11.2025)