ziprasidone
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Pronunciation: zih PRAISE a don
Brand: Geodon
What is the most important information I should know about ziprasidone?
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donot Do not take ziprasidone if you have any of the following conditions or a history of theseconditions: heart disease; an irregular heartbeat or a history of irregular heartbeats; a history ofprolonged QT intervals; a family history of congenital long QT syndrome; or other heartbeatdisturbances. These conditions may increase the risk of irregular heartbeats, heart attack, and deathwhile taking ziprasidone.
donot Do not take ziprasidone with any of the following drugs: mesoridazine (Serentil),thioridazine (Mellaril, others), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), pimozide (Orap), droperidol (Inapsine),quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, Quinidex, Quinora, others), dofetilide (Tikosyn), sotalol(Betapace, Betapace AF, others), moxifloxacin (Avelox), gatifloxacin (Tequin), sparfloxacin (Zagam),mefloquine (Lariam), pentamidine (Pentam 300), arsenic trioxide (Trisenox), dolasetron (Anzemet),levomethadyl acetate (Orlaam), or tacrolimus (Prograf). Taken with any of these drugs, ziprasidonemay cause irregular heartbeats that could lead to death. This is not a complete list of drugs that mayinteract with ziprasidone and cause heart problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before takingany other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal products, while takingziprasidone.
Hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) has been reported in patients treated with atypicalantipsychotics including ziprasidone. Talk to your doctor if you experience any signs of hyperglycemiaincluding excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness.
emt Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms that may indicate heartrhythm problems such as dizziness, palpitations, or fainting.
emt Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth,tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.
emt Call your doctor immediately if you experience fever, sweating, severe muscle stiffness(rigidity), confusion, or fast or irregular heartbeats. These could be symptoms of a potentially fatal sideeffect called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS).
dizzy Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.Ziprasidone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid theseactivities.
Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowlyto prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
noalcohol Avoid alcohol or use it with caution while taking ziprasidone. Alcohol may increasedrowsiness and dizziness while taking ziprasidone.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise. Ziprasidone may increase therisk of heat stroke.
What is ziprasidone?
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Ziprasidone is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in thebrain.
Ziprasidone is used to manage the symptoms of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia thatmay include hearing voices; seeing things or sensing things that are not there; mistaken beliefs; unusualsuspiciousness; or becoming withdrawn from family and friends. Ziprasidone is also used to treatbipolar mania.
Ziprasidone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ziprasidone?
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donot Do not take ziprasidone if you have any of the following conditions or a history of theseconditions: heart disease; an irregular heartbeat or a history of irregular heartbeats; a history ofprolonged QT intervals; a family history of congenital long QT syndrome; or other heartbeatdisturbances. These conditions may increase the risk of irregular heartbeats, heart attack, and deathwhile taking ziprasidone.
donot Do not take ziprasidone with any of the following drugs: mesoridazine (Serentil),thioridazine (Mellaril, others), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), pimozide (Orap), droperidol (Inapsine),quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, Quinidex, Quinora, others), dofetilide (Tikosyn), sotalol(Betapace, Betapace AF, others), moxifloxacin (Avelox), gatifloxacin (Tequin), sparfloxacin (Zagam),mefloquine (Lariam), pentamidine (Pentam 300), arsenic trioxide (Trisenox), dolasetron (Anzemet),levomethadyl acetate (Orlaam), or tacrolimus (Prograf). Taken with any of these drugs, ziprasidonemay cause irregular heartbeats that could lead to death. This is not a complete list of drugs that mayinteract with ziprasidone and cause heart problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before takingany other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal products, while takingziprasidone.
Before taking ziprasidone, tell your doctor if you have
* a history of heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, or high bloodpressure;
* diabetes or hyperglycemia;
* a history of dizziness or fainting;
* a history of epilepsy, seizures, or Alzheimer's disease; or
* liver disease.
You may not be able to take ziprasidone, or you may require a dosageadjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) has been reported in patients treated with atypicalantipsychotics including ziprasidone. Talk to your doctor if you experience any signs of hyperglycemiaincluding excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, or weakness.
nopreg Ziprasidone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whetherziprasidone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take ziprasidone without first talking to yourdoctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
nobrfeed It is not known whether ziprasidone passes into breast milk. Do not take ziprasidonewithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over the age of 65, you may be more likely to experience side effects fromziprasidone. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the medication.
How should I take ziprasidone?
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Take ziprasidone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
water Take each oral dose with a full glass of water.
Take ziprasidone with food at the same time each day.
nocrush Do not crush, open, or break the capsules. Swallow them whole.
Ziprasidone can also be administered as an injection by a healthcare provider.
donot Continue to take ziprasidone, even if your symptoms have improved. Continuous treatmentmay prevent the return of symptoms. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to yourdoctor.
rt Store ziprasidone at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the nextregularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
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emt Seek emergency medical treatment.
Symptoms of a ziprasidone overdose may include dizziness; drowsiness; slurred speech,increased heart rate; fainting; fever; sweating; muscle spasms; and uncontrollable movements of thearms, hands, tongue, face, or other body parts.
What should I avoid while taking ziprasidone?
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dizzy Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.Ziprasidone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid theseactivities.
Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowlyto prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
noalcohol Avoid alcohol or use it with caution while taking ziprasidone. Alcohol may increasedrowsiness and dizziness while taking ziprasidone.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise. Ziprasidone may increase therisk of heat stroke.
What are the possible side effects of ziprasidone?
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emt Call your doctor immediately if you experience fever, sweating, severe muscle stiffness(rigidity), confusion, fast or irregular heart beat. These could be symptoms of a potentially fatal sideeffect called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS).
emt If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ziprasidone and seekemergency medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:
* an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
* uncontrollable movements of the tongue, face, lips, arms,or legs;
* muscle spasms of the face or neck;
* severe restlessness or tremor;
* a rash;
* severe dizziness or fainting; or
* irregular or fast heartbeats.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue totake ziprasidone and talk to your doctor if you experience
* mild restlessness or tremor;
* drowsiness;
* nausea;
* constipation or diarrhea;
* dry mouth;
* mild dizziness; or
* increased cough or runny nose.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctorabout any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect ziprasidone?
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donot Do not take ziprasidone with any of the following drugs:
* mesoridazine (Serentil) or thioridazine (Mellaril, others);
* chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
* pimozide (Orap);
* quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, Quinidex,Quinora, others);
* dofetilide (Tikosyn);
* sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, others);
* moxifloxacin (Avelox), gatifloxacin (Tequin), orsparfloxacin (Zagam);
* mefloquine (Lariam);
* pentamidine (Pentam 300);
* droperidol (Inapsine);
* arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);
* dolasetron (Anzemet);
* levomethadyl acetate (Orlaam); or
* tacrolimus (Prograf).
Taken with any of these drugs, ziprasidone may cause irregular heartbeatsthat could lead to death. This is not a complete list of drugs that may interact with ziprasidone and causeheart problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription orover-the-counter medications, including herbal products, while taking ziprasidone.
Before taking ziprasidone, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially anyof the following:
* ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
* erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Eryc, others);
* carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol);
* medicines used to treat Parkinson's Disease such aslevodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet, Atamet, others), bromocriptine (Parlodel), ropinirole(Requip), cabergoline (Dostinex), pramipexole (Mirapex), pergolide (Permax), selegiline(Eldepryl), and others; or
* medicine used to lower blood pressure.
You may not be able to take ziprasidone, or you may require a dosageadjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Ziprasidone may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, includingantidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxietymedicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do nottake any medicine without first talking to your doctor.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ziprasidone. Talk to your doctor andpharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about ziprasidone written for health professionalsthat you may read.
What does my medication look like?
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Ziprasidone is available with a prescription under the brand name Geodon. Other brand orgeneric formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about thismedication, especially if it is new to you.
* Geodon 20 mg--blue/white capsules
* Geodon 40 mg--blue/blue capsules
* Geodon 60 mg--white/white capsules
* Geodon 80 mg--blue/white capsules
* Geodon injection 20 mg/mL
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share yourmedicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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