Pimozide

Antipsychotic

Sedating: No Driving: Caution QT risk: High Akathisia: Moderate Metabolic: Low Prolactin: Moderate t½: 30 h Tmax: 6 h

This one’s niche: mainly prescribed for Tourette’s syndrome and severe tics. It’s got a bad reputation for QT prolongation, meaning ECGs are often required if you’re on it. Not a common schizophrenia med anymore, but if you see it, it’s usually because of the tics. Definitely not a friendly drug to carry long-term, but sometimes it does the job nothing else will.

Uses • Warnings

🩺 Main Uses

Tourette’s syndrome; resistant schizophrenia (rare).

🧪 The Science & Facts

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Half‑life (t½)

30 h

How long the drug hangs around. Longer half‑life = slower changes.

Time to Peak (Tmax)

6 h

Roughly when you feel the main effect after a dose.

What it hits (receptors)

Primary:

D2 (antagonist)

How your body processes it (metabolism)

Substrate: CYP3A4Secondary: CYP2D6

Avoid strong 3A4 inhibitors/inducers; monitor QT.

⚠️ Warnings

QT prolongation/torsades risk — baseline and periodic ECG recommended.

⏬ Taper & Withdrawal

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If you’re reducing

Taper with ECG monitoring where indicated.

Possible withdrawal

Usually mild; relapse of tics/psychosis if abrupt.

Info here is educational, not medical advice. Always taper with prescriber support if possible.

🧠 Trusted External Sources Last reviewed 22 Aug 2025, 21:24 by Connor O’Driscoll

Drugs.com

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NHS

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🔗 Interaction Checker

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⚠️ Black Box Warning

All antipsychotics: ↑ mortality in elderly with dementia‑related psychosis.

This is a plain‑English summary of headline safety warnings. Talk to a clinician before changing any medication.

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