• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

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

Do not take pimozide with any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics including azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE, and others), dirithromycin (Dynabac), and troleandomycin (TAO);

• antifungal medicines including itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• protease inhibitors including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), indinavir (Crixivan), and nelfinavir (Viracept);

• phenothiazines including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine);

• tricyclic antidepressants including amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);

• medicines for irregular heartbeats, including quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinaglute, Quinidex), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), disopyramide (Norpace), propafenone (Rythmol), flecainide (Tambocor), amiodarone (Cordarone), and sotalol (Betapace);

• nefazodone (Serzone);

• zileuton (Zyflo); or

• sertraline (Zoloft).

A dangerous interaction, possibly resulting in irregular heartbeats and/or death may occur if pimozide is taken with any of the medicines listed above.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with pimozide. Pimozide can interact with grapefruit products, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs; fever; muscle rigidity; sweating; irregular pulse; or fast or irregular heartbeats. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pimozide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking pimozide.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise. Pimozide increases the risk of heat stroke. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.

What is pimozide?

Pimozide is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Pimozide is used to suppress the motor and phonic tics associated with Tourette's disorder.

Pimozide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

Do not take pimozide with any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics including azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE, and others), dirithromycin (Dynabac), and troleandomycin (TAO);

• antifungal medicines including itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• protease inhibitors including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), indinavir (Crixivan), and nelfinavir (Viracept);

• phenothiazines including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine);

• tricyclic antidepressants including amoxapine (Asendin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);

• medicines for irregular heartbeats, including quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinaglute, Quinidex), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), disopyramide (Norpace), propafenone (Rythmol), flecainide (Tambocor), amiodarone (Cordarone), and sotalol (Betapace);

• nefazodone (Serzone);

• zileuton (Zyflo); or

• sertraline (Zoloft).

A dangerous interaction, possibly resulting in irregular heartbeats and/or death may occur if pimozide is taken with any of the medicines listed above.

Do not take pimozide without first talking to your doctor if you have

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;

• heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a history of a heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or

• glaucoma.

You may not be able to take pimozide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Pimozide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether pimozide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take pimozide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether pimozide passes into breast milk. Do not take pimozide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.