Ziprasidone Consumer Information

ziprasidone

Generic Name: ziprasidone (zi PRAY si done)
Brand Names: Geodon

What is ziprasidone?

Ziprasidone is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Ziprasidone is used to treat schizophrenia and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Ziprasidone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about ziprasidone?

Stop taking ziprasidone and call your doctor right away if you feel dizzy or light-headed, have a fast or pounding heartbeat, or if you faint. This could be signs of a serious heart rhythm problem.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ziprasidone?

• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";

• history of recent heart attack; or

• uncontrolled or untreated heart failure.

Ziprasidone should never be taken together with any of the following drugs, or a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder could occur:

• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

• dolasetron (Anzemet);

• droperidol (Inapsine);

• halofantrine (Halfan);

• mefloquine (Lariam);

• levomethadyl acetate (no longer available in the U.S.);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• antibiotics such as gatifloxacin (Tequin), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), moxifloxacin (Avelox), sparfloxacin (Zagam), telithromycin (Ketek);

• heart rhythm medicine such as dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute), or sotalol (Betapace); or

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril).

Before taking ziprasidone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• low blood levels of potassium or magnesium;

• diabetes (ziprasidone may raise your blood sugar);

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a history of suicidal thoughts;

• Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's;

• trouble swallowing;

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take ziprasidone.

Ziprasidone may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking ziprasidone.

The ziprasidone orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of ziprasidone if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take ziprasidone?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

It is important to take ziprasidone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking ziprasidone?

Ziprasidone side effects

• dizziness, feeling light-headed, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;

• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

• tremor (uncontrolled shaking), restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

• agitation, hostility, confusion;

• increased thirst or urination, weakness, extreme hunger; or

• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild skin rash;

• anxiety, headache, depressed mood;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• muscle pain or twitching;

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat; or

• weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect ziprasidone?

Before taking ziprasidone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a diuretic (water pill), blood pressure medicine, or heart rhythm medicine;

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• haloperidol (Haldol);

• narcotic pain medication;

• medicines used to treat Parkinson's Disease such as levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet, Atamet, others); or

• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, Ery-Tab), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or telithromycin (Ketek).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ziprasidone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.