Drug reference

Pimozide

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 428, 429

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Schizophrenia ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: Initially 2 mg daily, adjusted according to response, then increased in steps of 2–4 mg at intervals of not less than 1 week; usual dose 2–20 mg daily ▶Elderly: Initially 1 mg daily, adjusted according to response, increased in steps of 2–4 mg at intervals of not less than 1 week; usual dose 2–20 mg daily Monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis | Paranoid psychosis ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: Initially 4 mg daily, adjusted according to response, then increased in steps of 2–4 mg at intervals of not less than 1 week; maximum 16 mg per day ▶Elderly: Initially 2 mg daily, adjusted according to response, increased in steps of 2–4 mg at intervals of not less than 1 week; maximum 16 mg per day

PDF page 428

Contra Indications

CNS depression. comatose states. history of arrhythmias. history or family history of congenital QT prolongation. phaeochromocytoma

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Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: pimozide

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Side Effects

▶Common or very common Appetite decreased. depression. fatigue. headache. hyperhidrosis. hypersalivation. muscle complaints. restlessness. sebaceous gland overactivity. urinary disorders. vision blurred ▶Uncommon Dysarthria. face oedema. oculogyric crisis. skin reactions ▶Frequency not known Cardiac arrest. generalised tonic- clonic seizure. glycosuria. hyperglycaemia. hyponatraemia. libido decreased. neck stiffness. temperature regulation disorders

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Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution.

PDF page 428

Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Start with small doses in severe renal impairment because of increased cerebral sensitivity.

PDF page 428

Monitoring Requirements

▶ECG monitoring Following reports of sudden unexplained death, an ECG is recommended before treatment. It is also recommended that patients taking pimozide should have an annual ECG (if the QT interval is prolonged, treatment should be reviewed and either withdrawn or dose reduced under close supervision) and that pimozide should not be given with other antipsychotic drugs (including depot preparations), tricyclic antidepressants or other drugs which prolong the QT interval, such as certain antimalarials, antiarrhythmic drugs and certain antihistamines and should not be given with drugs which cause electrolyte disturbances (especially diuretics).

PDF pages 428, 429

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension Tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 2 ▶Orap 1mg tablets (Imported (United States)) Pimozide 1 mg Orap 1mg tablets | 100 tablet P s ▶Orap (Eumedica Pharmaceuticals) Pimozide 4 mg Orap 4mg tablets | 100 tablet P £40.31 DT = £40.31 eiiii F 401

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Dose text by age group

Adult

Initially 2 mg daily, adjusted according to

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 428

Adult

Initially 4 mg daily, adjusted according to

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 428

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Pimozide

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 428, 429

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 428

Contra Indications

CNS depression. comatose states. history of arrhythmias. history or family history of congenital QT prolongation. phaeochromocytoma

PDF page 428

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: pimozide

PDF page 428

Side Effects

PDF page 428

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution.

PDF page 428

Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Start with small doses in severe renal impairment because of increased cerebral sensitivity.

PDF page 428

Monitoring Requirements

PDF pages 428, 429

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 429

Dose text by age group

Adult

Initially 2 mg daily, adjusted according to

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 428

Adult

Initially 4 mg daily, adjusted according to

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 428

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.