What is Pimozide?

Pimozide is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Pimozide is used to suppress the motor and phonic tics associated with Tourette’s disorder.
Pimozide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Pimozide?

Do not take pimozide with any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics including azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE, and others), dirithromycin (Dynabac), and troleandomycin (TAO)
• antifungal medicines including itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• protease inhibitors including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), indinavir (Crixivan), and nelfinavir (Viracept)
• phenothiazines including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• tricyclic antidepressants including amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• medicines for irregular heartbeats, including quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinaglute, Quinidex), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), disopyramide (Norpace), propafenone (Rythmol), flecainide (Tambocor), amiodarone (Cordarone), and sotalol (Betapace)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• zileuton (Zyflo); or
• sertraline (Zoloft)

A dangerous interaction, possibly resulting in irregular heartbeats and/or death may occur if pimozide is taken with any of the medicines listed above.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with pimozide. Pimozide can interact with grapefruit products, and the interaction may have dangerous effects.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs; fever; muscle rigidity; sweating; irregular pulse; or fast or irregular heartbeats.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pimozide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking pimozide.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise. Pimozide increases the risk of heat stroke. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Pimozide?

Do not take pimozide with any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics including azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE, and others), dirithromycin (Dynabac), and troleandomycin (TAO)
• antifungal medicines including itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• protease inhibitors including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), indinavir (Crixivan), and nelfinavir (Viracept)
• phenothiazines including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• tricyclic antidepressants including amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• medicines for irregular heartbeats, including quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinaglute, Quinidex), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), disopyramide (Norpace), propafenone (Rythmol), flecainide (Tambocor), amiodarone (Cordarone), and sotalol (Betapace)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• zileuton (Zyflo); or
• sertraline (Zoloft)

A dangerous interaction, possibly resulting in irregular heartbeats and/or death may occur if pimozide is taken with any of the medicines listed above.
Do not take pimozide without first talking to your doctor if you have

• liver disease
• kidney disease
• heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a history of a heart attack, or irregular heartbeats
• seizures or epilepsy
• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
• glaucoma

You may not be able to take pimozide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Pimozide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether pimozide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take pimozide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether pimozide passes into breast milk. Do not take pimozide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Pimozide Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Pimozide?

Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs; fever; muscle rigidity; sweating; irregular pulse; or fast or irregular heartbeats.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking pimozide and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
• seizures or convulsions
• fever; or
• a very fast or an irregular heartbeat

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pimozide and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or drowsiness
• insomnia
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• dry mouth; or
• blurred vision or sensitivity of the eyes to light

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pimozide Interactions

What other drugs affect Pimozide?

Do not take pimozide with any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics including azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE, and others), dirithromycin (Dynabac), and troleandomycin (TAO)
• antifungal medicines including itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• protease inhibitors including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), indinavir (Crixivan), and nelfinavir (Viracept)
• phenothiazines including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• tricyclic antidepressants including amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• medicines for irregular heartbeats, including quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinaglute, Quinidex), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), disopyramide (Norpace), propafenone (Rythmol), flecainide (Tambocor), amiodarone (Cordarone), and sotalol (Betapace)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• zileuton (Zyflo); or
• sertraline (Zoloft)

A dangerous interaction, possibly resulting in irregular heartbeats and/or death may occur if pimozide is taken with any of the medicines listed above.
Pimozide should not be taken with other medicines that, may themselves, cause motor and phonic tics including

• pemoline (Cylert)
• methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin)
• dexmethylphenidate (Focalin); and
• amphetamines such as amphetamine, amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat), and methamphetamine (Desoxyn)

Talk to your doctor before taking pimozide if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines to treat a seizure disorder. Pimozide may increase the risk of having a seizure.
Pimozide may also increase the side effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and any other drug that makes you feel sleepy or relaxed. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pimozide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

What should I avoid while taking Pimozide?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pimozide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking pimozide.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise. Pimozide increases the risk of heat stroke. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with pimozide. Pimozide can interact with grapefruit products, and the interaction may have dangerous effects.

Pimozide Dosage

How should I take Pimozide?

Take pimozide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with pimozide. Pimozide can interact with grapefruit products, and the interaction may have dangerous effects.
Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. A gradual reduction in dose may be recommended before stopping the medication.
Store pimozide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Pimozide?

Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a pimozide overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, uncontrollable movements, coma, and death.

What happens if I miss a dose of Pimozide?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com