Pimozide tablets

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What are pimozide tablets?

PIMOZIDE (Orap®) helps to lessen the muscle and speech tics that are caused by Tourette's syndrome. Pimozide can also treat conditions that may cause you to hear or see things that others do not. Generic pimozide tablets are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• an alcohol abuse problem
• blood disease
• cancer
• difficulty urinating
• glaucoma
• heart, kidney, or liver disease
• low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood
• Parkinson's disease
• prostate trouble
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to pimozide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take pimozide tablets by mouth with or without food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If pimozide upsets your stomach you can take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Do not drink alcoholic beverages or grapefruit juice products while taking pimozide.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

What drug(s) may interact with pimozide?

Pimozide has the potential to interact with many medications. The list below contains some of the drugs that can interact:

Do not take pimozide with any of the following medications:
• aprepitant
• astemizole
• bepridil
• certain antibiotics: clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, or troleandomycin
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• diltiazem
• dolasetron
• grapefruit juice
• halofantrine
• medicines for fungal infections (examples- fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
• medicines for treating HIV virus infection or AIDS (examples- amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir)
• mefloquine
• mibefradil
• nicardipine
• probucol
• quinine
• some medicines for treating depression or other mental problems (examples- amoxapine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, maprotiline, nefazodone, paroxetine, sertraline, ziprasidone)
• some medicines for treating heart-rhythm problems (examples- amiodarone, flecainide, disopyramide, dofetilide, ibutilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)
• tacrolimus
• terfenadine
• verapamil
• zileuton

Pimozide may also interact with the following medications:
• barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• bosentan
• carbamazepine
• ciprofloxacin
• citalopram
• enoxacin
• isoniazid (INH)
• levodopa
• medicines for sleep or anxiety
• medicines for treating seizures
• norfloxacin
• pain relievers
• paroxetine
• rifampin
• sertraline
• some medicines for treating asthma
• some medicines for treating pain
• tacrine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking pimozide?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks before you see the full effects of pimozide. Do not suddenly stop taking pimozide. You may need to gradually reduce the dose. Only stop taking pimozide on your prescriber's advice.

You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how pimozide affects you. Alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not drink grapefruit juice products while taking pimozide. An ingredient in grapefruit juice can increase the chance of developing serious heart problems from pimozide.

If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking pimozide.

What side effects may I notice from taking pimozide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• change in emotion or behavior such as feeling depressed, angry, or anxious
• change in vision
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• fast, slow or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• fever
• inability to control muscle movements in the face, hands, arms, or legs
• increased thirst
• loss of balance or difficulty walking
• menstrual changes
• rash
• restlessness or need to keep moving
• seizures
• stiff muscles or jaw
• seizures
• sexual difficulties
• skin rash
• spasms of the face, tongue, or mouth
• tremors or trembling
• uncontrollable tongue or mouth movements

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Less common:
• changes in sexual desire
• constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• difficulty urinating
• excessive watering or drooling of mouth
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• trouble in controlling urine
• weight gain
More Common:
• dizziness; especially on standing from a sitting or lying postion
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• weight loss

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 20 degrees and 25 degrees C (68 degrees and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.