[2] It is orally active, has an elimination half-life of 10 hours, crosses the blood–brain barrier, and substantially occupies brain dopamine receptors.

[3][4] Side effects of ecopipam may include depression, anxiety, fatigue, sedation, somnolence, insomnia, headaches, muscle twitching, and suicidal ideation, among others.

[2] It was discovered in the CNS preclinical labs at Schering-Plough Corporation (now Merck) under the direction of Richard Chipkin, PhD.

[12] However, reports of mild-to-moderate, reversible anxiety and depression made it unsuitable for commercialization as an anti-obesity drug, and its development was stopped for that indication.

[16] A subsequent double-blind placebo-controlled study in pediatric subjects confirmed ecopipam's ability to ameliorate the motor and vocal symptoms seen in patients with Tourette syndrome.