pimozide

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

What is pimozide?

Pimozide works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Pimozide is used in people with Tourette's syndrome. Pimozide suppresses the physical (motor) and vocal (phonic) symptoms of tics when these symptoms interfere with daily life function.

Pimozide is not for use in treating motor tics that are not caused by Tourette's syndrome.

Pimozide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

• you have low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood;
• you have long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
• you take medicines that can cause tics, such as a stimulant or ADHD medication (Adderalll, Ritalin, and others).

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with pimozide. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• ADHD medication;
• an antibiotic or antifungal medication;
• anti-psychotic medication;
• an antidepressant;
• antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis C or HIV;
• anti-malaria medication;
• heart rhythm medication;
• medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting (such as Zofran);
• "triptan" migraine headache medicine (such as Imitrex or Maxalt); or
• opioid medication.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• heart problems, high blood pressure, or a heart attack;
• an enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
• glaucoma.

Taking pimozide during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. Do not stop taking pimozide without your doctor's advice.

How should I take pimozide?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include muscle stiffness, shallow breathing, or feeling light-headed.

What should I avoid while taking pimozide?

Grapefruit may interact with pimozide and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of pimozide?

High doses or long-term use of pimozide can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use pimozide, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are an older adult.

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
• fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores;
• a seizure (convulsions); or
• severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects may include:

• problems with speech or vision;
• drowsiness, trouble sleeping;
• feeling restless;
• tight muscles;
• constipation; or
• dry mouth.

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.

What other drugs will affect pimozide?

Pimozide can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Many drugs can affect pimozide, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pimozide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.02. Revision date: 5/23/2018.