
What are the side effects of ziprasidone?
Symptoms also include shaking, muscle stiffness, or feeling like you can't sit still. Tell your provider right away if you notice any unusual movements or restlessness. Ziprasidone (Geodon) can lower the amount of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells help your body fight off infections and diseases.
Can ziprasidone (Geodon) cause heart problems?
Ziprasidone (Geodon) can cause heart problems, so call your doctor right away if you feel faint or a change in your heartbeat. Prices for ziprasidone (Geodon) start at just $ 15.00 with a GoodRx coupon. They’re fast, easy-to-use and free! What are the side effects of ziprasidone (Geodon)? With any medication, there are risks and benefits.
How soon after starting ziprasidone will my symptoms improve?
It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking ziprasidone. It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if ziprasidone is the right medication for you.
How does ziprasidone affect the QT-interval?
Ziprasidone has a modest effect on the electrical activity of the heart which can be seen on the electrocardiogram ( EKG) as a prolongation of the QT-interval. (See discussion below.) Other drugs which also affect the QT interval can add to the effects of ziprasidone and lead to serious disturbances in the rhythm of the heart.

Is ziprasidone a sedative?
The sedative effect of ziprasidone was never greater than that of placebo, whereas diazepam was significantly more sedative than placebo 1–1.5 hours after the dose.
How do I know if ziprasidone is working?
When ziprasidone is working well, you may notice that your thoughts are clearer and more organized. Agitation may be decreased and hearing voices or seeing things no one else sees (hallucinations) may stop completely or happen much less.
Does Geodon get you high?
There are anecdotal reports that indicate that some people have used Geodon to get high, but the drug is not known to be one of the most actively sought on the street as a popular drug, but Geodon abuse has been associated to a limited degree with pleasure-seeking behavior.
How long does it take ziprasidone to start working?
If you are taking this medication to help with symptoms of mood disturbances, you may notice some changes in the first 1 to 2 weeks. It can take up to 6 weeks to see the full benefits of the medication.
Is ziprasidone a strong antipsychotic?
Ziprasidone may be a slightly less efficacious antipsychotic drug than amisulpride, olanzapine and risperidone. Its main advantage is the low propensity to induce weight gain and associated adverse effects. However, the high overall rate of participants leaving the studies early limits the validity of any findings.
What does ziprasidone do to the brain?
Ziprasidone is a medication that works in the brain to treat schizophrenia. It is also known as a second generation antipsychotic (SGA) or atypical antipsychotic. Ziprasidone rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.
Can Geodon give you energy?
Most voted positive review My Dr. gave me Geodon to try. The first day I was a bit sleepy, but starting with my second dose, I became very clear minded and actually felt like I had energy of a normal person.
Is ziprasidone a narcotic?
Ziprasidone (also marketed as Geodon) is a prescription-only drug pharmaceutically classified as an atypical antipsychotic medication.
Does ziprasidone help with anxiety?
In conclusion, ziprasidone augmentation of escitalopram appears equally efficacious with respect to mood symptoms in the treatment of both anxious and nonanxious depression. However, the observed anxiolytic effect size for patients with higher levels of anxiety was not found to be in the clinically significant range.
Does ziprasidone cause weight loss?
Results: Weight and BMI decreased from baseline to endpoint by 4.5 ± 3.4 kg and 1.6 ± 1.2 kg/m2, respectively, at weekly rates of 0.37 kg and 0.13 kg/m2, respectively (all p < 0.00001). 48% of patients had at least 5% weight loss. Obesity rate decreased from 88% to 35% (p < 0.0001).
What time should I take my ziprasidone?
It is usually taken twice a day with food. Take ziprasidone at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
What is the best mood stabilizer?
Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be the most effective mood stabilizer for depression in bipolar disorder, but is not as helpful for mania. The starting dose of lamotrigine should be very low and increased very slowly over four weeks or more.
Does ziprasidone help with anxiety?
In conclusion, ziprasidone augmentation of escitalopram appears equally efficacious with respect to mood symptoms in the treatment of both anxious and nonanxious depression. However, the observed anxiolytic effect size for patients with higher levels of anxiety was not found to be in the clinically significant range.
Does ziprasidone help you sleep?
Results: Ziprasidone significantly increased total sleep time, sleep efficiency, percentage of sleep stage 2, and slow wave sleep; decreased the number of awakenings; and significantly affected tonic and phasic REM sleep parameters, i.e., it decreased percentage of REM and REM density and profoundly increased REM ...
What does ziprasidone interact with?
Some products that may interact with this drug are: dolasetron, metoclopramide, saquinavir. Many drugs besides ziprasidone may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, moxifloxacin, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, tacrolimus, thioridazine, among others.
Does ziprasidone cause weight loss?
Results: Weight and BMI decreased from baseline to endpoint by 4.5 ± 3.4 kg and 1.6 ± 1.2 kg/m2, respectively, at weekly rates of 0.37 kg and 0.13 kg/m2, respectively (all p < 0.00001). 48% of patients had at least 5% weight loss. Obesity rate decreased from 88% to 35% (p < 0.0001).
How long does it take for ziprasidone (Geodon) to start working?
You can start to feel better within 1-2 weeks but it can take up to 6 weeks to feel the full benefit of this medication.
Can ziprasidone (Geodon) be used by children?
This medication hasn't been studied in children so it's unclear if it is safe or works for children.
Can ziprasidone (Geodon) be taken by pregnant women?
This medication can be harmful to you and your unborn baby, especially towards the end of your pregnancy. It can cause babies to be have abnormal m...
Can I drink alcohol while taking ziprasidone (Geodon)?
To avoid side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, and confusion, you should limit alcohol while taking this medication.
Does ziprasidone (Geodon) make you gain weight?
Ziprasidone (Geodon) can sometimes make you gain weight, but weight gain is less likely than other similar medications.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ziprasidone, or if you have: 1. a heart rhythm disorder; 2. a personal or family history of...
How Should I Take Ziprasidone?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.Take this m...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Ziprasidone?
While you are taking ziprasidone, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or...
Ziprasidone Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:Oral:Initial dose: 20 mg orally twice a dayMaintenance dose: Adjust as clinically indicated at intervals of not...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Ziprasidone?
Taking ziprasidone with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doct...
How should I take ziprasidone?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
How long does it take for ziprasidone to work?
It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Do not stop using ziprasidone suddenly, even if you feel fine. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.
What other drugs will affect ziprasidone?
Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What is ziprasidone used for?
Ziprasidone injection is used to quickly treat agitation in people with schizophrenia. Ziprasidone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What are the symptoms of a drug reaction?
Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Can ziprasidone make you drowsy?
Using ziprasidone with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Many drugs can affect ziprasidone, and some drugs should not be used at the same time.
What is ziprasidone used for?
Ziprasidone is used to treat symptoms of psychotic (mental) disorders, such as schizophrenia, mania, or bipolar disorder. It should not be used to treat behavioral problems in elderly patients who have dementia. Ziprasidone works by changing some of the chemicals in the brain that cause psychotic disorders.
Is ziprasidone safe for children?
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ziprasidone in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
Inability to move the eyes. increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid. sticking out of tongue. trouble with breathing. uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs. unusual facial expressions. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
Can medicine cause side effects?
Side Effects. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
What happens if I miss a dose of Ziprasidone?
If you miss a dose of ziprasidone, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
How long does it take for Ziprasidone to work?
It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking ziprasidone. It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if ziprasidone is the right medication for you.
What is the most important information I should know about Ziprasidone?
Schizophrenia requires long-term treatment. Do not stop taking ziprasidone, even when you feel better.
How should I take Ziprasidone?
Ziprasidone is usually taken 2 times per day with food (at least 500 calories).
What should I avoid while taking Ziprasidone?
Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking ziprasidone. They may decrease the benefits (e.g. worsen your confusion) and increase adverse effects (e.g. sedation) of the medication.
Are there any risks For taking Ziprasidone for long periods of time?
Medications such as ziprasidone have been shown to have a lower risk of TD compared to older antipsychotics, such as Haldol® (haloperidol). If you develop symptoms of TD, such as grimacing, sucking, and smacking of lips, or other movements that you cannot control, contact your healthcare provider immediately. All patients taking either first or second generation antipsychotics should have an Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) completed regularly by their healthcare provider to monitor for TD.
What other medications may interact with Ziprasidone?
Ziprasidone may block the effects of agents used to treat Parkinson’s disease such as levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet®), bromocriptine, pramipexole (Mirapex®), ropinirole (Requip®), and others.
What is ziprasidone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Although the mechanism of action of ziprasidone is not known, like other anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication between nerves of the brain. It does this by blocking receptors on the nerves for several neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other. It is thought that the beneficial effect of ziprasidone is due to its blocking of dopamine and serotonin receptors. It also inhibits the re-uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine by nerves in the brain like some anti-depressant drugs. Ziprasidone is associated with little or no weight gain, a feature that distinguishes it from other anti-psychotic drugs. Similarly, ziprasidone is unique among anti-psychotic drugs in that it does not increase cholesterol levels. The FDA approved ziprasidone as a treatment for schizophrenia in February 2001.
What is the dosage for ziprasidone?
Ziprasidone usually is taken twice a day. The usual starting dose is 20 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased over time to achieve the desired effect. Ziprasidone should be taken with food (for example, shortly after a meal) since when taken on an empty stomach, much less ziprasidone is absorbed.
How much ziprasidone is in a capsule?
Ziprasidone is available as capsules of 20 mg (blue/white), 40 mg (blue/blue), 60 mg (white/white) and 80 mg (blue/white). The injectable form is available in vials containing 20 mg of lyophilized ziprasidone that must be reconstituted with 1.2 ml of sterile water before injection.
How many people are at risk for ziprasidone?
The risk is about 1 in 200 patients. Ziprasidone frequently causes tiredness (1 in 7 patients). Therefore, care should be exercised in any activity requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle (including automobiles) or operating hazardous machinery. Less common side effects include seizures (1 in 250 patients).
Can you take ziprasidone with thioridazine?
Due to the potential for such additive effects on the QT interval, ziprasidone should not be taken with thioridazine (Mellaril), quinidine (Quinidex), moxifloxacin ( Avelox ), pimozide ( Orap ), sotalol ( Betapace ), dofetilide ( Tikosyn ), and sparfloxacin ( Zagam ). Carbamazepine ( Tegretol) increases the body's ability to eliminate ziprasidone ...
How to report side effects of prescription drugs?
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Does ziprasidone block nerves?
Although the mechanism of action of ziprasidone is not known, like other anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication between nerves of the brain. It does this by blocking receptors on the nerves for several neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other. It is thought that the beneficial effect ...
What are the side effects of Geodon?
This may involve a fever, headache, dizziness, runny nose, and vomiting. You may feel as if you have some sort of viral infection or cold, when in reality it’s a reaction to the drug. Headaches: This is among the most common side effect that a person will experience while taking Geodon.
What are the side effects of taking a drug?
The ones that develop over the short-term tend to be a result of your body trying to adapt to the drug, while those that happen over the long-term are usually a result of the changes the drug has made to your physiology over time.
What are the factors that contribute to side effects of a drug?
The pharmacological properties of the medication are responsible for the bulk of the side effects, but other factors such as: the individual, dosage of the medication, duration over which a person took the drug, and whether they are also taking other drugs are all things that can influence side effects.
How long does it take for side effects to subside?
Many short-term side effects subside after a few weeks (once your body has gotten used to the drug).
Does Geodon help with schizophrenia?
Although the drug may work well to help mitigate positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions by having an antagonistic effect on dopamine receptors, this comes at a cost. Most people notice that Geodon carries significant side effects.
Can antipsychotics cause weight gain?
This is an unfortunate side effect from the medication that can contribute to weight gain. In less likely cases, people may lose their appetite as a result of feeling sick from other side effects.
Does Geodon make you feel like hell?
Individual variation. Some people have positive reactions to certain drugs, yet for another, a drug may feel like hell on Earth. Some people will react to Geodon with intolerable side effects and feel as if the drug isn’t worth staying on.
