An antipsychotic occasionally used for deviant antisocial sexual behaviour

Benperidol

An antipsychotic occasionally used under specialist care to control deviant antisocial sexual behaviour.

What is Benperidol?

Benperidol is an antipsychotic that is occasionally used, under specialist supervision, to help control deviant antisocial sexual behaviour. Like other older antipsychotics, it works by blocking dopamine in the brain. It can cause movement-related (extrapyramidal) side effects such as stiffness, restlessness and tremor, as well as sedation, hormonal changes from a raised prolactin level, and effects on the heart's rhythm (the QT interval). Because of this, it is used carefully at the lowest effective amount, with monitoring, and is a specialist rather than everyday medicine.

Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Benperidol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review
Class: Antipsychotic (specialist use) → Brands: Anquil
Benperidol (Antipsychotic (specialist use)) — Meds Global Health reference card with 2D molecular structure
Benperidol — Antipsychotic (specialist use). The image shows the active ingredient's 2D molecular structure.

What it is

Benperidol is an antipsychotic, a type of medicine that works mainly by blocking dopamine signals in the brain. Unusually, its main recognised use is a specialist one: it is occasionally used to help control deviant antisocial sexual behaviour, under close medical supervision. It is taken by mouth. Like other older antipsychotics, it can cause movement-related and other side effects, so it is used at the lowest amount that helps and with careful monitoring. It is a specialist medicine rather than one used routinely.

How it works

Benperidol blocks dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain, which is the basis of how older antipsychotics work. In its specialist use, this dopamine-blocking effect is intended to help dampen the drives behind the behaviour being treated. Because dopamine is also involved in controlling movement and in regulating the hormone prolactin, blocking it explains the movement-related side effects and the hormonal changes that can occur. It is taken regularly, at the lowest effective amount, with the specialist team balancing benefit against these effects.

Company & origin

Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.

A specialist medicine occasionally used, under close supervision, to help control deviant antisocial sexual behaviour.

Practical use

How to take Benperidol

General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.

  • Take it by mouth exactly as the specialist prescribes, at the lowest amount that helps.
  • Do not stop it suddenly without advice, as this can cause problems; changes are made gradually.
  • Be cautious with driving or concentration, as it can make you drowsy.
  • Report any stiffness, restlessness, tremor or unusual movements promptly.
  • Tell your prescriber about heart-rhythm problems or other medicines that affect the heart rhythm.

Weighing it up

Advantages & disadvantages of Benperidol

Advantages

  • Offers a specialist option, under supervision, for controlling deviant antisocial sexual behaviour.
  • Taken by mouth.
  • Can be used at the lowest effective amount with monitoring to balance benefit and effects.

Disadvantages

  • Commonly causes sedation and movement-related (extrapyramidal) side effects.
  • Can raise prolactin, causing hormonal effects, and can affect the heart's rhythm (the QT interval).
  • A specialist medicine needing close supervision and monitoring.

Practical use

Good to know

Benperidol is a specialist medicine used in a specific situation, so it is started and supervised by a specialist who weighs its benefits against its effects. Because it is an older antipsychotic, the main things to expect are sedation and movement-related (extrapyramidal) side effects such as stiffness, restlessness, tremor or unusual movements, which should be reported as they can often be managed. It can also raise the hormone prolactin, which may cause breast tenderness, milk production or changes in periods or sexual function, and it can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so the heart may be checked. As with all antipsychotics, a very rare but serious reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome, with high fever, stiffness and confusion, needs emergency help. It is used at the lowest amount that works, with monitoring.

Who should not take it / use with caution

  • People who have had a serious allergic reaction to benperidol should not take it.
  • It is used with caution, or avoided, in people with certain heart-rhythm problems.
  • It is used with care in older people and in people with Parkinson's disease or movement disorders.
  • It is used with care in people with a very slowed level of consciousness, under specialist guidance.

Monitoring

  • Watching for movement-related side effects and sedation.
  • Checking the heart's rhythm (the QT interval) where appropriate, and prolactin-related effects.
  • Reviewing the benefit against the effects, using the lowest amount that helps.

Side effects

  • Drowsiness and sedation.
  • Movement-related (extrapyramidal) effects such as stiffness, restlessness, tremor or unusual movements.
  • Hormonal effects from a raised prolactin level, such as breast tenderness, milk production or changes in periods or sexual function.
  • Effects on the heart's rhythm (the QT interval), and, very rarely, a serious reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome needing emergency help.

Key interactions

  • Alcohol and other sedating medicines add to the drowsiness.
  • Other medicines that affect the heart's QT interval increase the risk of rhythm problems.
  • Medicines for Parkinson's disease may work less well, and other dopamine-blocking medicines add to movement effects.

Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.

Answers

Benperidol: frequently asked questions

What is benperidol used for?

It is an antipsychotic occasionally used, under specialist supervision, to help control deviant antisocial sexual behaviour.

How does it work?

Like other older antipsychotics, it blocks dopamine in the brain, which is also why it can cause movement-related and hormonal side effects.

What side effects should I look out for?

Sedation and movement-related effects such as stiffness, restlessness or tremor are common; report these, along with any breast changes or palpitations.

Does it affect the heart?

It can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so your prescriber may check this and review other medicines that do the same.

Can I stop it suddenly?

No. Do not stop antipsychotics suddenly without advice; your specialist will adjust the amount gradually to avoid problems.

The wider class

About Antipsychotic (specialist use)

Benperidol belongs to the antipsychotic (specialist use) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.

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Authoritative sources

  • BNF
  • NICE CKS

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