What is Pimozide: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Pimozide

• 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.

• It is usually best to take this medicine at bedtime.

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

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

• 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.

What to do if you miss a dose of Pimozide

Pimozide contraindications

• 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.

Pimozide warnings

• 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)

Pimozide interactions

• 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.