Pimozide
About Pimozide
Pimozide is an oral medication prescribed to help control severe motor and vocal tics in people living with Tourette's syndrome. This medicine is typically reserved for individuals whose symptoms have not improved with other standard treatments. It works on the central nervous system to help reduce the frequency and intensity of these involuntary movements and sounds.
To get the best results, you must take this medicine consistently every day, exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. You can take the tablet with or without food, but it is best to choose one method and stick to it at the same time each day. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques and maintaining a regular sleep schedule can also help manage your symptoms, as stress and fatigue are common triggers for tics.
While taking Pimozide, you may experience some common side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat, severe muscle stiffness, or uncontrollable movements of your face or tongue. Regular monitoring by your doctor is necessary to ensure the medication is working safely.
Before starting this medication, talk to your doctor if you have a history of heart rhythm problems, seizures, or liver issues. Do not take this if you have congenital long QT syndrome, a history of irregular heartbeats, or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood. It is also unsuitable for anyone taking certain medicines that can affect heart rhythm.
Pimozide can interact dangerously with other medications, including certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and heart medications, which can raise the risk of serious heart issues. You should avoid alcohol and smoking while taking this medicine, as they can worsen drowsiness and alter how the drug works in your body. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, talk to your doctor to discuss whether this medication is safe for you.
Uses of Pimozide
Medicinal Benefits
Pimozide provides several important benefits by helping control tics and improving day-to-day functioning:
- Reduces Motor and Vocal Tics: It helps decrease the frequency and severity of involuntary movements and vocalisations associated with Tourette's syndrome.
- Relieves Physical Discomfort: By reducing repetitive movements, it helps lessen muscle strain, fatigue, and discomfort caused by frequent tics.
- Improves Daily Functioning: Better control of tics can make it easier to participate in school, work, and social activities with greater confidence.
- Supports Emotional Well-Being: Reduced tic severity may help lower the stress, embarrassment, and anxiety often associated with Tourette's syndrome, improving overall quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Pimozide can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Pimozide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Pimozide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Feeling restless or unable to sit still
- Blurred vision
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- A fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Severe muscle stiffness, high fever, sweating, and confusion
- Uncontrolled, rhythmic movements of the face, tongue, mouth, or limbs
Seizures
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Attend Regular ECG Monitoring: Your doctor will likely perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) before you start taking this medicine and periodically during treatment to monitor your heart's rhythm.
- Avoid Driving Until You Know Its Effects: Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform dangerous activities until you know how this medication affects you, as it can cause significant drowsiness.
- Avoid Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol, as it can dangerously increase the sedative effects of this medicine.
- Report Unusual Muscle Movements: Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual, uncontrollable muscle movements, especially in your face, lips, or tongue.
- Do Not Stop Suddenly: Never stop taking this medicine abruptly, as doing so can cause your tics to worsen suddenly.
Drug Interactions
Here are the medicines that may interact with Pimozide and increase the risk of serious side effects or reduce treatment safety:
- QT-prolonging medicines: Do not take this medication with other drugs that affect heart rhythm, such as certain antibiotics (like erythromycin or clarithromycin), antimalarials, or certain heart medications.
- Antidepressants: Medicines like sertraline, fluoxetine, or paroxetine can increase the levels of Pimozide in your blood, raising the risk of serious heart side effects.
- Central Nervous System depressants: Taking this medicine with sleeping pills, anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, or strong pain relievers can cause extreme drowsiness and slowed breathing.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Pimozide as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects.
Pregnancy
unsafePimozide is not recommended for use during pregnancy especially in the third trimester as it may cause unwanted side effects to the baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafePimozide is usually not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it may be excreted in human milk in small amounts. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafePimozide may cause dizziness, blurred vision or drowsiness. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy or experience any vision problems after taking Pimozide.
Liver
cautionTake Pimozide with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Pimozide with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafePimozide is not recommended for children below 12 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid grapefruit: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit can increase the amount of the drug in your bloodstream, raising the risk of severe side effects.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help manage dry mouth and prevent constipation.
- Eat a high-fiber diet: Consume fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help keep your digestion regular, as this medication can cause constipation.
- Manage stress: Practice relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or gentle yoga, as stress can increase the frequency of tics.
- Get regular medical checks: Keep all appointments for blood tests and heart monitoring (ECGs) as recommended by your doctor to ensure the medicine is safe for your heart.
Special Advise
ECG (electrocardiogram) is recommended before and while taking Pimozide to measure the electrical activity of your heart.
Blood tests are recommended while taking Pimozide to monitor the levels of electrolytes (minerals) in the blood.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: It is a mental disorder that affects the ability of a person to feel, think and behave clearly. The symptoms include hallucinations, thought or movement disorders, delusions (misbelief), lack of emotion, sleep problems, isolating oneself from family and friends, difficulty in doing daily activities.
Tourette’s syndrome: Tourette’s syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that causes repetitive, involuntary movements or sounds called tics such as repeatedly blinking the eyes, blurt out offensive words not intended to say or shrugging shoulders. It starts in childhood or adolescence. The treatment includes psychological therapies or/and medication.
FAQs
Pimozide is used to treat schizophrenia and tourette' s syndrome.
Pimozide contains Pimozide that works by inhibiting the dopamine (chemical messenger) receptors in the brain. Dopamine is involved in regulating mood, behaviour and emotions. Thereby, Pimozide prevents dopamine overactivity and helps in controlling psychotic illness. Also, Pimozide decreases uncontrolled movements or outbursts of sounds or words (tics). Thus, helps in lowering the number of tics in Tourette’s syndrome patients.
You are not recommended to take Pimozide with levodopa (antiparkinson drug) as it may decrease the effectiveness of levodopa and increase the risk of adverse effects such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, light-headedness and dizziness. However, please consult your doctor before using Pimozide with any other medicines.
Pimozide is not recommended for elderly people with dementia (decline in memory, behaviour, thinking and ability to do daily activities) as it may increase the risk of life-threatening adverse effects. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have dementia before taking Pimozide.
Pimozide may cause dizziness as a temporary adverse effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Pimozide should be used with caution in patients suffering from fits as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have a history of fits before taking Pimozide.
Pimozide may cause side effects like drowsiness, excessive sweating, dizziness, urinating at night, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, blurred vision or impotence (erectile dysfunction) in men. Most of these side effects of Pimozide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, you should avoid alcohol. Mixing alcohol with this medication can cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness, and slow your reaction times. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about avoiding alcohol.
Dry mouth is a common side effect. You can manage this by sipping water frequently, chewing sugarless gum, or sucking on sugar-free hard candies. Talk to your doctor if the dryness becomes severe or persistent.
Some patients may experience weight changes or an increased appetite while taking this medicine. Eating a balanced diet and staying active can help manage this effect. Talk to your doctor for personalized dietary advice.
No, you must not stop taking this medicine suddenly, even if you feel completely better. Stopping abruptly can cause your tics to return or trigger withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to slowly reduce your dose when it is time to stop.
Yes, this medication can alter the electrical activity of your heart, which can lead to serious irregular heartbeats. Your doctor will perform regular ECG tests to monitor your heart safety. Talk to your doctor immediately if you feel dizzy or notice a pounding heartbeat.
This medication should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the developing baby. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options.
Your doctor may order regular blood tests to check your electrolyte levels, particularly potassium and magnesium, as low levels can increase the risk of serious heart side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about these safety checks.
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