|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (zi
PRAY si
done) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Geodon® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antipsychotics |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to ziprasidone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have had a recent heart attack or have a severely weakened
heart (congestive heart failure).
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Amiodarone, defetilide,
disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide, cisapride, pimozide, some quinolone
antibiotics (moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin), sotalol, mesoridazine,
or thioridazine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat symptoms seen in schizophrenia. You may
see improvements in 2-3 weeks. Six weeks of treatment may be needed to see the
full effects of this medicine.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Ziprasidone acts as a mood stabilizer
- It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood,
as well as, delusions, paranoia, and
appearance.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with food.
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or
crush.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Avoid St. John's wort. May decrease the effectiveness of this
medicine.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May increase the risk of
effects on the heart. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have a slow heart rate and no functional pacemaker.
Talk with your healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have Parkinson's disease. Talk with your healthcare
provider.
- Use caution if you have a seizure history. Talk with your healthcare
provider.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
drowsy and shaky.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have breast cancer.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or unable to think clearly. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Movements not controlled by you, shakiness, difficulty moving around,
or stiffness.
- Restlessness and inability to stay still or calm.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Weight gain.
- Cold symptoms
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Report any side effects to healthcare provider at follow-up visit.
- Follow up with healthcare provider.
- Check blood work if you have a history of heart problems. Talk with
health care provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky, or unsteady.
- High fever, changes in thinking clearly, and stiffness.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse after 6 weeks of taking
this medicine.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
|
