Can Haldol Cause Urinary Retention In An Elderly Person Using A Urinary Catheter?

Posted on Mon, 12 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 Answered on

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : I gave my father 2 haldol .5 last night because of paranoia. He is 90 years old and a catheter was inserted and he keeps pulling it out and everyday i go to the emergency room. I do not live with him but there is an aide in the apartment. I will go there shortly. The aide says the catheter is in place but since last night there is no urine. Can haldol make urinary retention? my father does not drink too much. I am monitoring this and unfortunaley do not have a good referring physician at this time. I need advice. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it can cause retention, but if catheter in the bladder is properly placed, it wouldn't matter.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Urinary retention refers to urine in the bladder not able to pass.

Urinary retention is a rare side effect that can be seen in persons using this medication. It occurs in 1 to 10% of persons prescribed.

Because he has a catheter in place however, the fact that the medication causing retention should not matter because the catheter is in the bladder and the urine should be passing through it.

The fact that there is no urine either means that there was decreased urine production or the catheter has slipped out of place and though it is still in the urethra (the tube opening after the bladder), it is not in the bladder any longer.He may have pulled it slightly and not dislodged it completely.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James,
General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar