What it does
Pimozide is a medication used to treat certain mental health conditions, particularly symptoms associated with schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome.
Commonly used for: schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome
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Sourcing - Kenya onlyRegistration & product details
Source: Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority · fetched 2026-03-11 22:07:04 · updated 2026-09-17 02:30:43
Drug Interactions
26Pharmacodynamic Warnings
Pimozide appears in TABLE 8: Drugs that cause hypotension
Pimozide appears in TABLE 9: Drugs that prolong the QT interval
Pimozide appears in TABLE 10: Drugs with antimuscarinic effects
Pimozide appears in TABLE 11: Drugs with CNS depressant effects
Severe (7)
Dopamine Receptor Agonists - decreases effects
Pimozide is predicted to decrease the effects of dopamine receptor agonists. Avoid. Also see TABLE 8 p. 1518 → Also see TABLE 9 p. 1519 → Also see TABLE 10 p. 1519
Pimozide - increases exposure
Antifungals,azoles(fluconazole,isavuconazole,posaconazole) arepredictedtoincreasetheexposuretopimozide.Avoid. rTheoretical →AlsoseeTABLE9p.1519
Pimozide - increases exposure
Grapefruitjuiceincreasestheexposuretopimozide.Avoid. rTheoretical
Pimozide - increases exposure
Clarithromycin is predicted to increase the exposure to pimozide. Avoid. Also see TABLE 9 p. 1519
Pimozide - increases exposure
Erythromycin is predicted to increase the exposure to pimozide. Avoid. Also see TABLE 9 p. 1519
Pimozide - increases exposure
Panobinostat is predicted to increase the exposure to pimozide. Avoid. Theoretical. Also see TABLE 9 p. 1519
Pimozide - increases exposure
Ribociclib (high-dose) is predicted to increase the exposure to pimozide. Avoid. Also see TABLE 9 p. 1519
Moderate (3)
Pimozide - increases exposure
Larotrectinibispredictedtoincreasetheexposuretopimozide. Usewithcautionandadjustdose.nTheoretical 1xidneppA|snoitcaretnI A1 com/codemedicalapps/ cal Applications)
Pimozide - increases exposure
Palbociclibispredictedtoincreasetheexposuretopimozide. Adjustdose.oTheoretical
Pimozide - increases exposure
Rucaparib is predicted to increase the exposure to pimozide. Monitor and adjust dose. Pindolol → see beta blockers, non-selective Pioglitazone → see TABLE 14 p. 1520 (antidiabetic drugs)
Unknown (16)
Antipsychotics - additive effect
Antipsychotics,secondgeneration(clozapine)cancause constipation,ascanantipsychotics,secondgeneration (olanzapine,quetiapine);concurrentusemightincreasethe riskofdevelopingintestinalobstruction.rAnecdo
Levodopa - decreases effects
Pimozide decreases the effects of levodopa. Theoretical → Also see TABLE 8 p. 1518
Pimozide - increases exposure
Dronedaroneispredictedtoincreasetheexposuretopimozide. Avoid.rTheoretical →AlsoseeTABLE9p.1519
Pimozide - increases exposure
Miconazoleispredictedtoincreasetheexposuretopimozide. Avoid.oTheoretical
Pimozide - additive effect
Clozapinecancauseconstipation,ascanpimozide;concurrent usemightincreasetheriskofdevelopingintestinal obstruction.rTheoretical →AlsoseeTABLE8p.1518 →Also seeTABLE11p.1519→AlsoseeTABLE10p.1519
Data from BNF 85 (British National Formulary). This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Matched via: exact
About this medicine
Pimozide is a medication used to treat certain mental health conditions, particularly symptoms associated with schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome.
What it treats
- schizophrenia
- Tourette syndrome
How it works
Pimozide works by helping to balance chemicals in the brain that affect mood and behavior.
Who it's for
This medication is typically prescribed for adults and children with specific mental health disorders.
Drug class
Antipsychotics
Cautions
- • Be cautious if you are taking medications that lower blood pressure.
- • Avoid medications that may affect heart rhythm.
- • Use with care if taking drugs that have strong sedative effects.
- • Be aware of medications that may cause dry mouth or other antimuscarinic effects.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: Pimozide
BNF-referencedPimozide is an antipsychotic medication primarily used to treat Tourette's disorder and other severe mental or behavioral disorders. It works by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the central nervous system, which is believed to be responsible for its effectiveness in suppressing tics and managing psychotic symptoms. Pimozide has a more specific action on dopaminergic pathways, making it a suitable alternative to other neuroleptics such as haloperidol.
Indications
- Tourette's disorder
- Severe mental or behavioral disorders
- Schizophrenia (under expert supervision)
- Psychoses
Dosage
Children: Refer to BNF for Children for specific dosing guidance.
Adults: Initially 15–30 mg daily in 2 divided doses, adjusted according to response, with larger doses taken under supervision in a hospital setting.
Mechanism of action
Pimozide's ability to suppress motor and phonic tics in Tourette's disorder is primarily due to its dopaminergic blocking activity. It binds to and inhibits the dopamine D2 receptor in the CNS, effectively reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission.
Pharmacodynamics
Pimozide is an orally active antipsychotic that blocks dopaminergic receptors in the CNS. This blockade leads to alterations in central dopamine metabolism and function, contributing to both therapeutic and adverse effects. Pimozide is less likely to cause sedation and hypotension compared to other neuroleptics, due to its specific blocking activity on dopamine receptors.
Pharmacokinetics
Pimozide exhibits a variable half-life and is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It undergoes hepatic metabolism, primarily by cytochrome P450 enzymes, and is excreted in urine as metabolites. The pharmacokinetics may be influenced by factors such as age, liver function, and co-administration with other drugs.
Contra-indications
- CNS depression
- comatose states
- pheochromocytoma
- history of arrhythmias
- family history of congenital QT prolongation
Adverse effects
- decreased appetite
- depression
- fatigue
- headache
- hyperhidrosis
- hypersalivation
- muscle complaints
- restlessness
- sebaceous gland disorders
Interactions
- antifungals, azoles + pimozide: Severe (increases exposure)
- pimozide + dopamine receptor agonists: Severe (decreases effects)
- grapefruit juice + pimozide: Severe (increases exposure)
- clarithromycin + pimozide: Severe (increases exposure)
- erythromycin + pimozide: Severe (increases exposure)
- panobinostat + pimozide: Severe (increases exposure)
- ribociclib + pimozide: Severe (increases exposure)
- larotrectinib + pimozide: Moderate (increases exposure)
- palbociclib + pimozide: Moderate (increases exposure)
- rucaparib + pimozide: Moderate (increases exposure)
Precautions
- Hypothyroidism
- hepatotoxicity risk with phenothiazines
- risk factors for hypoventilation
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.
Breast-feeding
Manufacturer advises to avoid for 48 hours after dose (express and discard milk produced during this time) - present in milk in animal studies.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Formulations
- Tablets
- Oral solution
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Molecular reference: Pimozide
PubChem CID 16362Molecular formula: C28H29F2N3O
Mechanism of action
The ability of pimozide to suppress motor and phonic tics in Tourette's Disorder is thought to be primarily a function of its dopaminergic blocking activity. Pimozide binds and inhibits the dopamine D2 receptor in the CNS.
Pharmacodynamics
Pimozide is an orally active antipsychotic drug product which shares with other antipsychotics the ability to blockade dopaminergic receptors on neurons in the central nervous system. However, receptor blockade is often accompanied by a series of secondary alterations in central dopamine metabolism and function which may contribute to both pimozide's therapeutic and untoward effects. In addition, pimozide, in common with other antipsychotic drugs, has various effects on other central nervous system receptor systems which are not fully characterized. Pimozide also has less potential for inducing sedation and hypotension as it has more specific dopamine receptor blocking activity than other neuroleptic agents (and is therefore a suitable alternative to haloperidol).
Biological pathways
Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.