Pimozide

What is pimozide used for?

• Pimozide is used to lower the number of tics in patients with Tourette's syndrome.
• Pimozide may be given to you for other reasons. Talk to your doctor.

Before taking pimozide, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to pimozide; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have tics that are caused by something other than Tourette's disorder.
• If you have ever had a long QT on ECG or other heartbeat that is not normal.
• If you have any of these health problems: Low potassium or magnesium levels.
• If you are very sleepy.
• If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with pimozide, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or depression. There are many drugs that must not be taken with pimozide. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking a drug that must not be taken with pimozide.
• If you are taking any drugs that can cause a certain type of heartbeat that is not normal (prolonged QT interval). There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with pimozide.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take pimozide with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take pimozide?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take pimozide. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how pimozide affects you.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Low white blood cell counts have happened with drugs like this one. This may lead to a higher chance of infection. Rarely, infections have been deadly. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a low white blood cell count. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• If you have been taking pimozide on a regular basis and you stop it all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop taking pimozide all of a sudden without calling your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
• An unsafe heartbeat that is not normal (long QT on ECG) has happened with pimozide. Sudden deaths have rarely happened in people taking pimozide. Talk with the doctor.
• You will need an ECG before starting pimozide and during treatment. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may raise the chance of seizures in some people, including people who have had seizures in the past. Talk to your doctor to see if you have a greater chance of seizures while taking pimozide.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or are sweating a lot.
• If you are 65 or older, use pimozide with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using pimozide while you are pregnant.
• Taking pimozide in the third trimester of pregnancy may lead to uncontrolled muscle movements and withdrawal in the newborn.

How is pimozide best taken?

Use pimozide as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Keep taking pimozide as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of pimozide that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Trouble controlling body movements, twitching, change in balance, trouble swallowing or speaking.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• Shakiness, trouble moving around, or stiffness.
• Seizures.
• Restlessness.
• Low mood (depression).
• Change in how you act.
• Change in eyesight.
• Trouble passing urine.
• Change in how often urine is passed.
• Not able to get or keep an erection.
• Lowered interest in sex.
• Some people may get a severe muscle problem called tardive dyskinesia. This problem may lessen or go away after stopping pimozide, but it may not go away. The risk is greater with diabetes and in older adults, especially older women. The risk is greater with longer use or higher doses, but it may also occur after short-term use with low doses. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble controlling body movements or problems with your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw like tongue sticking out, puffing cheeks, mouth puckering, or chewing.

What are some other side effects of pimozide?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling sleepy.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Constipation.
• Dry mouth.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Not hungry.
• Not able to sleep.
• Headache.
• More saliva.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Weight gain or loss.
• Dizziness.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out pimozide?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use and disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about pimozide, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take pimozide or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to pimozide. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.