Pimozide

Pimozide is prescribed to patients diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome to treat their condition. Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes repetitive involuntary movements referred to as “tics”. When taken, Pimozide controls these “tics” by decreasing the production of dopamine in the brain. This medication is available as an oral tablet. It is only indicated for the treatment of severe tics.

• Orap

• Ergoloid Mesylates
• Orap
• Pimozide

• Tablet

• By mouth

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

It is usually best to take this medicine at bedtime.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to pimozide, or if you have heart rhythm problems (such as long QT syndrome) or low potassium or magnesium blood levels.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, or a history of seizures.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a problem with the nervous system)Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder)Changes to your heartbeatDecreased numbers of blood cells, especially white blood cells

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Problems with balance or walking

New or ongoing muscle movement that you cannot control (often in your lips, tongue, jaw, arms, or legs)

You must avoid many other medicines while you are using pimozide. These medicines used together could cause serious health problems, including death. Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are also using a macrolide antibiotic (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or azithromycin), medicine for depression (such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, nefazodone, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine), medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (such as ritonavir, saquinavir, indinavir, nelfinavir), or zileuton.

Some medicines and foods can affect how pimozide works. Tell your doctor if you also use medicine to treat seizures, a phenothiazine (such as chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine), a tricyclic antidepressant (such as amitriptyline), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as dofetilide, sotalol, quinidine), a diuretic (water pill), pentamidine, dolasetron, tacrolimus, or ziprasidone.

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

• Fever, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness or spasms
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• New or ongoing muscle movement that you cannot control (often in your lips, tongue, jaw, arms, or legs)
• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Problems with balance or walking
• Dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness
• Sleepiness, weakness
• Dry mouth