Geodon

Generic Name: ziprasidone
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). Ta lk 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).