Pimozide medication uses and side effects

Generic Name: PIMOZIDE - ORAL (PIM-oh-zide)

Brand name(s): Orap

Uses of Pimozide:

Pimozide is a diphenylbutylpiperidine derivative with neuroleptic properties that has been found to be useful in the management of chronic schizophrenic patients. It is relatively non-sedating and can be administered in a single daily dose.

Pimozide ( Orap ) is an anti psychotic drug of high-potency. Used in the treatment of psychotic thinking and hallucinations. It is not the drug of first choice, because of some serious risk. Given only to people that do not responded to other medicines.

How to Take Pimozide

Take this medicine as directed. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly without consulting with your doctor.

Side Effects of Pimozide:

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

sleepiness
headache
weakness
dry mouth
diarrhea
constipation
unusual hunger or thirst
muscle tightness
changes in posture
difficulty falling or staying asleep
nervousness
changes in behavior
changes in taste
eyes sensitive to light
changes in vision
decreased sexual ability
rash

Warnings and precautions for Pimozide

Before taking Pimozide,

Because pimozide prolongs the QT interval of the ECG it is contraindicated in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, or patients taking other drugs which prolong the QT interval of the ECG (see Drug Interactions).
You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established; therefore, do not use pimozide in the pediatric age group.
The safety of use of pimozide in pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Therefore, it should not be administered to nursing mothers or to women of child-bearing potential, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits of the drug to the patient outweigh the potential risk to the fetus or child.
Do not drink alcohol whilst taking this medicine
do not take antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak), clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), and troleandomycin (TAO); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); dofetilide (Tikosyn); chlorpromazine (Ormazine, Thorazine); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); dolasetron (Anzemet); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); gatifloxacin (Tequin); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), and ritonavir (Norvir); levomethadyl (ORLAAM); medication for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procanabid, Pronestyl), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace); mefloquine (Lariam); mesoridazine (Serentil); metronidazole (Flagyl); moxifloxacin (Avelox); nefazadone (Serzone); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); pentamidine (Nebu-Pent); probucol (Lorelco); sertraline (Zoloft); sparfloxacin (Zagam); tacrolimus (Prograf); thioridazine (Mellaril); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); zafirlukast (Accolate); zileuton (Zyflo); and ziprasidone (Geodon) while taking pimozide.

What to do if you take Overdose of Pimozide?

Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center.

What to do if you take Missed Dose of Pimozide?

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How to Store Pimozide:

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.