Orap (Pimozide) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Tourette Syndrome »

What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. The disorder is named for Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described the condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman. The early symptoms of Tourette syndrome are almost always noticed first in childhood, with the average onset between the ages of 7 and 10 years. Tourette syndrome occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of Tourette syndrome, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics or transient tics of childhood. Although Tourette syndrome can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime, most people with the condition experience...

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Orap Patient Information including How Should I Take

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

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.

How should I take pimozide (Orap)?

Take pimozide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you.

Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with pimozide. Pimozide can interact with grapefruit products, and the interaction may have dangerous effects.

Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. A gradual reduction in dose may be recommended before stopping the medication.

Store pimozide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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