Orap (Pimozide) is used to control the symptoms of chronic schizophrenia where the main manifestations do not include excitement, agitation or hyperactivity. Pimozide is an antipsychotic medication which affects chemicals in the brain that allow communication between nerve cells (neurotransmitters). These chemicals are called dopamine and serotonin. Exactly how Pimozide works is unknown. However, it seems to readjust the balance of dopamine and serotonin. Orap tablets are used for illnesses affecting the way you think, feel or behave. These illnesses may make you feel confused, see, hear or feel things that are not there (hallucinations), believe things that are not true (delusions), feel unusually suspicious (paranoia). It may take some time before you feel the full effect of the medicine but it is important that you carry on taking it for as long as your doctor has told you. Take Pimozide tablets with a full glass of water. Pimozide is not recommended for use in patients under 18 years of age or in patients 65 years of age or older.

Manufacturer Information

Common side effects of Orap may include sweating; urinary incontinence; severe constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; nasal congestion; nausea and vomiting; headache; menstrual changes; change in libido; swelling of the breasts and milk production in both men and women; weight changes and blurred vision. Call your doctor immediately if you notice more serious side effects such as:

• Allergic Reaction;
• Blood clots: swelling, pain and redness in an arm or leg that can be warm to touch;
• Fast or irregular heartbeat;
• High Blood Pressure: headaches, vision disorders, nausea and vomiting;
• Increased Blood Sugar: frequent urination, thirst and hunger;
• Jaundice: yellow color to skin and eyes, dark urine;
• Low Blood Pressure: feeling of light headedness or fainting;
• New or worsening Constipation;
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: high fever, sweating, stiff muscles, fast heartbeat, fast breathing and feeling confused, drowsy or agitated;
• Respiratory Infection: fever, flu-like symptoms, coughing, difficult or fast breathing;
• Seizures or fits;
• Tardive Dyskinesia: uncontrollable movements or twitches of the body, face, eyes or tongue, stretching the neck and body;
• Vision Changes: blurred vision, glaucoma or other eye disorder

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen or persist.

Pimozide should not be used to manage mania or acute schizophrenia. You should not use Pimozide if you have an allergy to Pimozide, or to phenothiazines; have a tumor of the adrenal gland; have a severe heart disorder; have a severe blood vessel or blood disorder; have severe kidney problems; have had brain damage; have liver disease; have anemia, low white blood cell counts, low platelets; have drowsiness, slow breathing, weak pulse; have a depressive disorder. Before you use Pimozide talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have heart problems; you are prone to low blood pressure (hypotension); age over 65; smoking; obesity; recent major surgery; take oral contraceptives; have glaucoma; are addicted to alcohol. You should not take Pimozide if you are under the effects of alcohol. Pimozide should not be used during pregnancy or during breast feeding unless your doctor recommends. Tell your health care provider if you are taking anti-anxiety agents; antidepressants; muscle relaxants; antiseizure medicine; high blood pressure medicine; cabergoline; metrizamide; guanethidine; guanadrel; grepafloxacin; sparfloxacin; lithium; cisapride; atropine-like drugs; narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine); drugs used to aid sleep; drowsiness-causing antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), other drugs that may make you drowsy.

Check out our latest Blog Post