Pimozide (Systemic)

Brand Names : Orap

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, pimozide can sometimes cause serious unwanted effects. Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. Other serious but rare side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythm or the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, may also occur. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of taking it .

Stop taking pimozide and get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare - Signs of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (usually two or more occur together)

Convulsions (seizures); difficult or unusually fast breathing; fast heartbeat or irregular pulse; fever (high); high or low (irregular) blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; muscle stiffness (severe)

Symptoms of overdose

Coma; convulsions (seizures); dizziness (severe); muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness (severe); troubled breathing (severe); uncontrolled movements (severe)

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Difficulty in speaking; dizziness or fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of balance control; lack of facial expression; mood or behavior changes; restlessness or need to keep moving; shuffling walk; slowed movements; stiffness of arms and legs; swelling or soreness of breasts (less common in males); trembling and shaking of fingers and hands; unusual secretion of milk (rare in males)

Less common or rare

Difficulty in swallowing; inability to move eyes; increased blinking or spasms of eyelid; lip smacking or puckering; menstrual changes; muscle spasms, especially of the face, neck, or back; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; skin rash and itching; sore throat and fever; swelling of face; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs, including twisting movements; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual facial expressions or body positions; yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Blurred vision or other vision problems; constipation; dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when getting up from a lying or sitting position; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; skin discoloration

Less common

Decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; headache; loss of appetite and weight; mental depression; nausea and vomiting; tiredness or weakness

After you stop using pimozide, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following side effects:

Lip smacking or puckering; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.