Ziprasidone: Drug Information

Brand Name: Geodon

Other names: Azona, Zipsidon

Drug Class: Antipsychotic

Uses of Ziprasidone:

Ziprasidone belongs to the family of drugs known as pyschotropics belonging to the family of antipsychotic medicines. It is used to treat schizophrenia and acute bipolar disorder. It helps relieve agitation, hallucinations and delusions as well as restlessness, feelings of aloofness and racing thoughts. Ziprasidonewas approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001 for the treatment of both schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Indications and dosage:

It is essential for you to take Ziprasidone as directed by your professional health care practitioner. This medicine is available in capsule form and must be taken with meals in order to avoid a stomach upset. Even if your symptoms start to get better, DO NOT stop taking the medicine abruptly without the consent of your doctor or it may worsen your present condition.

Warnings and precautions:

Ziprasidone is not approved for treating patients diagnosed with dementia related psychosis as they are at an increased risk of death, particularly elderly patients.

Patients with recent or cute MI, heart disease, heart failure or congenital long QT syndrome should not take this medicine.

Patients with arrhythmias that are being treated with class I and III ant arrhythmic drugs should not take Ziprasidone.

Caution is advised in patients prone to electrolyte disturbances. They must get their baseline serum, magnesium and potassium rectified before taking Ziprasidone.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular illness, pituitary tumors, liver disease or kidney disease before taking Ziprasidone.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you need to notify your doctor before taking this medicine.

DO NOT drive a vehicle or operate any machinery while on this medicine.

Avoid the consumption of alcohol while on Geodon therapy.

Drug Interactions:

Ziprasidone should not be taken with type I and type III arrhythmias.

Centrally acting drugs like Ketoconazole and carbamazepine should not be co-administered with this medicine.

Side Effects of Ziprasidone:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication include somnolence, akathisia, extrapyramidal symptoms, dizziness, dystonia, headache, gastro intestinal disturbances, asthenia, hypertonia, central nervous system (CNS) disturbances agitation, urinary retention, skin rash, urticaria, constipation, stomach upset, running nose, restlessness, nausea, rhinitis and musculoskeletal complaints.

Overdose:

Symptoms of Ziprasidone overdose include somnolence, extrapyramidal symptoms, tremor and anxiety. In this situation, you must notify your doctor or contact your local poison control center at the earliest.