Pimozide - Benefits, dosage and side effects

2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:39

Pimozide is a drug commonly used to relieve symptoms of tics, which are repetitive movements or speech that are out of control in people with Tourette's syndrome. In addition, this drug is also used to treat several mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and hypochondria

Pimozide works by blocking dopaminergic receptors in the nervous system. Thus, this drug can reduce the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome and certain types of mental disorders that are thought to occur due to the increased work of dopamine in the brain.

However, keep in mind that this medication does not cure the underlying disease.

pimozide trademark: -

What is Pimozide

Class	Prescription drugs
Categories	Antipsychotics
Benefits	Relieves tic symptoms in people with Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, and hypochondria
Consumed by	Adults and children 12 years old
Pimozide for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether pimozide is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first.
Medicine form	Tablets

Warning Before Taking Pimozide

Pimozide should only be used according to a doctor's prescription. There are several things you should pay attention to before consuming it, including:

• Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Pimozide should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease, Parkinson's disease, breast cancer, kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), enlarged prostate, or glaucoma.
• Do not take pimozide if you have severe diarrhea, have severe vomiting, or are known to have low potassium or magnesium levels.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking supplements, herbal products, or other medications, especially stimulants or medications to treat ADHD.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, because taking pimozide in the third trimester of pregnancy can cause problems with the baby, such as breathing problems. Also tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
• Avoid driving a vehicle or engaging in activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, while taking pimozide, as this medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision.
• Tell your doctor that you are taking pimozide if you plan to have any surgery or medical procedures, including dental surgery.
• Be careful when getting up from a lying position while taking this medicine, because dizziness or fainting may occur.
• Do not consume alcohol and grapefruit or its derivatives while on treatment with pimozide.
• Report to your doctor if you have an allergic reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after taking pimozide.

Dosage and Instructions for Use of Pimozide

The dose of pimozide given by the doctor depends on the condition to be treated, the body's response, and the age of the patient. Here is the explanation:

Aim: Relieve tic symptoms in patients with Tourette's syndrome

• Adults: The initial dose is 1-2 mg per day divided into several doses. The maximum dose is 10 mg or 0.2 mg/kgBW per day.
• Children 12 years old: The initial dose is 0.05 mg/kgBW, once a day, before going to bed. The dose can be increased every 3 days. The maximum dose is 10 mg or 0.2 mg/kgBW per day.

Goal: Treating schizophrenia

• Adults and children aged 12 years: The initial dose is 2 mg, 1 time a day. The dose can be increased by 2–4 mg at intervals of less than 1 week. The maintenance dose is 2–20 mg per day.

Goal: Treating hypochondria

• Adults and children aged 12 years: The initial dose is 4 mg, 1 time a day. The dose can be increased by 2–4 mg at intervals of less than 1 week. The maximum dose is 16 mg per day.

How to Take Pimozide Correctly

Take pimozide according to the doctor's recommendations and the instructions on the medicine package. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first. Also, do not stop treatment with pimozide suddenly, as this may make your condition worse.

Pimozide can be taken before or after meals. Try to take this medicine at the same time every day. If you forget to take pimozide, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of your next dose, ignore the missed dose and do not double the pimozide dose to make up for the missed dose.

Store pimozide tablets at room temperature and place in a closed container. Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight and keep it out of reach of children.

Interaction of Pimozide with Other Drugs

The following are a number of interactions that can occur if pimozide is taken with certain drugs:

• Increased risk of extrapyramidal symptoms if taken with antiemetic drugs (to treat vomiting), such as metoclopramide
• Increased risk of brain damage if taken with sibutramine
• Increased risk of electrolyte imbalance if taken with diuretic drugs
• Less effectiveness of levodopa
• Increased risk of dangerous heart rhythm disturbances if taken with macrolide antibiotics, protease inhibitors, antiarrhythmics, azole antifungals, or tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs

Pimozide may interact with grapefruit and alcohol. If eaten with or near grapefruit, pimozide's effect on the body may increase, increasing the risk of overdose. Meanwhile, if consumed with alcohol, the effect of decreasing brain function by alcohol can increase.

Side Effects and Dangers of Pimozide

There are some side effects that can occur after taking pimozide. Side effects that can be particularly bothersome are extrapyramidal symptoms, which include tardive dyskinesia or repetitive movements of the face or other body parts.

In addition, pimozide can also cause several other side effects, including:

• Blurred vision
• Sleepy
• Constipation
• Dizziness when getting up from a lying position
• Loss of appetite
• Gain weight and blood sugar levels
• Dry mouth
• Excessive sweat
• Impotence and decreased sex drive

Check with a doctor if the complaints mentioned above don't go away or get worse. Call your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction or a more serious side effect, such as:

• Fever >38^{0 C}
• Severe muscle stiffness (unmovable)
• Delirium or feeling sleepy all the time
• Speaking becomes unclear
• Heart rate is irregular or becomes fast
• Tremor
• Balance disturbance