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itraconazole vs pimozide

Side-by-side comparison of itraconazole and pimozide. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

Apixaban Rivaroxaban Vorapaxar Not recommended during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment. Lurasidone Midazolam (oral) a Pimozide Triazolam a Contraindicated during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.

Recommendation: This combination is not allowed during treatment or for two weeks after you finish taking itraconazole.

Drug Class
itraconazole Azole Antifungal
pimozide Typical Antipsychotic
Type
itraconazole Prescription
pimozide Prescription
Summary
itraconazole

Itraconazole capsules are an antifungal medicine. They treat fungal infections in your body.

pimozide

Pimozide (Orap) is a medicine that helps control tics in people with Tourette's Disorder. It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain.

What It Treats
itraconazole

Itraconazole treats fungal infections like blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis. It can help both people with healthy immune systems and those with weakened immune systems. It also treats onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails.

pimozide

Pimozide is used to treat motor and phonic tics in people with Tourette's Disorder. It is for people who have not had success with other treatments. This medicine is not for tics that are mild or just annoying. It is meant for people whose tics greatly affect their daily life.

How It Works
itraconazole

Itraconazole stops fungi from growing. It does this by interfering with the production of a substance fungi need to build their cell membranes. This eventually kills the fungus and clears the infection.

pimozide

Pimozide belongs to a class of drugs called antipsychotics. It works by blocking dopamine, a chemical in the brain. By blocking dopamine, pimozide helps to reduce tics.

Common Side Effects
itraconazole
  • Nausea
  • Rash
  • Headache
pimozide
  • Parkinson-like symptoms (tremors, stiffness)
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Drowsiness
FAERS Reports
itraconazole
  • Interaction with another medicine 1,118
  • Fever 570
  • Difficulty breathing 472
  • Lung infection 462
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 446
pimozide
  • Interaction with another medicine 76
  • Parkinson-like symptoms 42
  • Weight gain 37
  • Sleepiness 33
  • Low blood pressure 29
Serious Warnings
itraconazole

Itraconazole can cause congestive heart failure. You should not take this medicine if you have heart problems. Itraconazole can also interact with many other medicines. Some of these interactions can be dangerous or even fatal. Check with your doctor about all the medicines you take.

pimozide

Pimozide can cause changes in your heart rhythm (QT prolongation). This can lead to serious heart problems. You should have an ECG (heart test) before starting pimozide and regularly during treatment. Do not take pimozide with other medicines that can also affect your heart rhythm.

Pregnancy
itraconazole

You should not take itraconazole if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about safe alternatives.

pimozide

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if pimozide will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking pimozide during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This itraconazole vs pimozide Comparison

itraconazole is classified in the Azole Antifungal drug class, while pimozide sits within the Typical Antipsychotic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, itraconazole has 3,068 submissions while pimozide has 217. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to itraconazole slows down the removal of pimozide from your body, which can increase the risk of serious heart side effects.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between itraconazole and pimozide - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.