Fetal exposure to pimozide: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Pimozide is an antidopaminergic, antipsychotic drug. Exposure during human pregnancy has not been reported previously, and recommendations on its use are based on extrapolation from other antipsychotics with antidopaminergic activity.

CASE

A 26-year-old woman had Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It was not possible to discontinue pimozide during pregnancy, although the dosage was reduced to 1 mg daily. In addition, she was treated with 20 mg fluoxetine until gestational week 27. By request of the patient, elective cesarean section was scheduled for week 38. As a precaution, pimozide was withdrawn 2 weeks prior to the section. During this period the patient's symptoms severely intensified, and an emergency cesarean section had to be performed at 36 weeks. A healthy male infant weighing 2,448 g was delivered. Pediatric examination of the infant and electroencephalogram demonstrated no neurologic abnormalities. On day 4 both mother and infant were discharged.

CONCLUSION

This is the first published report on fetal exposure to pimozide.