Pimozide, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antipsychotic

Generic and brand names: pimozide, oral; Orap

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat symptoms of Tourette's syndrome. It is used when uncontrolled body movements or vocal tics are severe and other medicines have not worked. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• an enlarged prostate
• electrolyte imbalances such as too much or too little magnesium or potassium in your blood
• glaucoma
• heart disease or an irregular heartbeat. You should not take this medicine if you have problems with an irregular heartbeat.
• liver or kidney disease
• Parkinson's disease
• seizures
• trouble urinating.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.

If this medicine is prescribed for a child, an adult should make sure it is taken properly.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

You may need to have an electrocardiogram before you start taking this medicine and several times during treatment. This is very important in finding out how the medicine may be affecting your heart. Keep all your appointments.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

While taking this medicine, avoid strenuous exercise, high temperatures, and dehydration. This medicine interferes with your body's ability to cool down, and you may become overheated.

This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

Alcohol may increase the effects of this medicine. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Uncontrollable shaking of your hands or head; uncontrollable puffing of your cheeks, chewing movements, or tongue protrusion (sticking out); facial swelling; fainting; palpitations; irregular heartbeats; severe muscle stiffness.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, restlessness, blurred vision, trouble urinating, decreased sweating, stuffy nose, rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• anti-anxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and clorazepate (Tranxene)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), pentamidine, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), azithromycin (Zithromax), and erythromycin (Erythrocin, E-Mycin, Ery-Tab)
• antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone, and doxepin (Sinequan)
• antifungals such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), voriconazole (VFEND), and itraconazole (Sporanox)
• antimalarials such as chloroquine (Aralen) and mefloquine (Lariam)
• antinausea medicines such as dolasetron (Anzemet), droperidol (Inapsine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and promethazine (Phenergan)
• antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), prochlorperazine (Compazine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thioridazine, promazine (Sparine), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• medicines to treat abnormal heartbeat such as quinidine amiodarone (Pacerone, Cordarone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), sotalol (Betapace), procainamide (Pronestyl), and disopyramide (Norpace)
• narcotic analgesics (pain killers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), pentazocine (Talwin), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic patches), methadone (Dolophine), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
• sedatives such as zolpidem (Ambien), flurazepam (Dalmane), temazepam (Restoril), phenobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and chloral hydrate (Aquachloral)
• stimulant medicines such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) or methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• zileuton (Zyflo).

Do not take this medicine with grapefruit juice because it increases the effects of the medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.