Type of medicine: antipsychotic
Generic and brand names: ziprasidone hydrochloride, oral; ziprasidone mesylate, injection; Geodon
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. It may be taken by mouth to treat some symptoms of bipolar disorder.
This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
This medicine may change the way that your heart works. If you have heart problems or are taking other medicines with this medicine, your risk of dangerous changes in heart rhythm is increased. Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines that you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and natural remedies. Also tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had a heart attack or if anyone in your family has heart disease.
Before taking this medicine tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Taking this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems for the baby. Symptoms the baby may have include agitation, tight muscles, floppy muscles, shaking, trouble breathing, or trouble feeding. Talk with your provider about this.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not change your dose even if you start to feel better. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
The injections will be given by your healthcare provider.
Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not crush or chew them. Take this medicine with food. Take it at the same times each day.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure about what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than 1 dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, slurred speech, fainting, dizziness, uncontrolled movement in tongue or neck, irregular heartbeat.
Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for death if they take this medicine. Talk with your provider about this.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Newborn babies may have trouble breathing or feeding, or other symptoms, if the mother takes this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit is greater than the possible risk to your baby. Talk with your provider about this.
While taking this medicine, you may get dizzy when you suddenly get up from sitting or lying down. Try getting up slowly to lessen this effect. When you first start taking this medicine you may have some shortness of breath or a rapid heartbeat. Contact your healthcare provider if these continue or get worse.
If you have severe depression or thoughts of suicide, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
Rarely, this medicine may cause a painful erection that will not return to normal. If this occurs, contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away. It can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated.
Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or be confused. Contact your provider right away if you have these symptoms.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase the risk of developing diabetes, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures, fainting, any change in your heartbeat, an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, severe diarrhea or vomiting, movements you cannot control, extreme thirst, heavy sweating, frequent urination, trouble swallowing, unexplained fever, muscle stiffness, unusual confusion, vision problems, unusual weakness or tiredness, problems with balance or walking.
Other: Drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, restlessness, muscle pain, diarrhea, mild rash, weight gain, increased cough, runny nose, headache.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
