Ziprasidone



Geodon®







Ziprasidone

(zi PRAY si done)

U.S. Brand Names
Geodon®
Pharmacologic Category
Antipsychotic Agent, Atypical
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to ziprasidone or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Recent heart attack or severely weakened heart.
  • If you are taking any of these medicines: QTc-prolonging agents including amiodarone, arsenic trioxide, chlorpromazine, cisapride, class Ia antiarrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide), dofetilide, dolasetron, droperidol, halofantrine, levomethadyl, mefloquine, mesoridazine, pentamidine, pimozide, some quinolone antibiotics (moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin), sotalol, tacrolimus, and thioridazine.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia.
  • It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.
  • This medicine is used to treat manic depression.
How does it work?
  • Ziprasidone helps clear your thinking.
  • It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.
  • It is a mood stabilizer.
How is it best taken?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take this medicine with food.
  • Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.
  • Follow diet and exercise plan as recommended by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have a family history of diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have Parkinson's disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have a slow heartbeat and do not have a pacemaker, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are overweight, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Do not take St John's wort with this medicine. It may make this medicine less effective.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • If you have breast cancer, talk with healthcare provider.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Nervous and excitable.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Weight gain.
  • High blood sugar. Usually reverses when stopped.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work (potassium, magnesium). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Significant change in balance.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.
  • Severe muscle pain or weakness.
  • Increased trips to the bathroom, increased thirst, or weight loss.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store capsule at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect capsule from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Injection:
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: