ZIPRASIDONE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Category
Description
Ziprasidone ((zi-PRAS-uh-done)) is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolardisorder which are mental disorders. This medicine should NOT be used to treatbehavioral problems in older adult patients who have dementia.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:
Parenteral- For Injection (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ziprasidone, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to ziprasidone. Also tell your doctor and pharmacistif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Ziprasidone has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in animals have shown that ziprasidone causes birth defectsand other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knowsif you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether ziprasidone passes intothe breast milk. However, ziprasidone is not recommended during breast-feeding,because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only inadult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of ziprasidonein children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof ziprasidone in the elderly with use in other age groups. This medicineshould not be used for behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingziprasidone, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist knowif you are taking any of the following:
- Arsenic trioxide (e.g., Trisenox) or
- Chlorpromazine (e.g., Thorazine) or
- Class Ia and III anti-arrhythmics or
- Dofetilide (e.g., Tikosyn) or
- Dolasetron mesylate (e.g., Anzemet) or
- Droperidol (e.g., Inapsine) or
- Gatifloxacin (e.g., Tequin) or
- Halofantrine (e.g., Halfan) or
- Levomethadyl acetate (e.g., Orlaam) or
- Mefloquine (e.g., Lariam) or
- Mesoridazine (e.g., Serentil) or
- Moxifloxacin (e.g., Avelox) or
- Pentamidine (e.g., Nebupent, Pentam 300) or
- Pimozide (e.g., Orap) or
- Probucol (e.g., Lorelco) or
- Quinidine (e.g., Quinidex, Quiniglute) or
- Sotalol (e.g., Betapace) or
- Sparfloxacin (e.g., Zagam) or
- Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) or
- Thioridazine (e.g., Mellaril)?May cause serious problems withyour heart.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of ziprasidone. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Heart attack (recent) or
- Heart disease or
- Irregular heartbeat or
- Heart failure?Ziprasidone may make these conditions worse
- High level of sugar in the blood or
- Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)?Ziprasidone may make theseconditions worse
- Low level of magnesium in your blood or
- Low level of potassium in your blood?This increases chancefor heart problems
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) or
- Tardive Dyskinesia?May appear or worsen with ziprasidone therapy
- Seizures or
- Alzheimer's disease?Increased risk of seizures and aspirationpneumonia
Proper Use of This Medicine
Do notchew the capsules, swallow whole.
Dosing?The dose of ziprasidone will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of ziprasidone. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.Also, the number of doses you take each day, the timeallowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine dependon the medical problem for which you are taking ziprasidone.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For treating bipolar disorder
- Adults? To start, 40 milligrams (mg) twice a day with food.The dose will be increased to either 60 or 80 mg on the second day. Your doctormay increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than80 mg twice a day.
- For treating schizophrenia:
- Adults?To start, 20 mg twice a day with food. Your doctormay increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than80 mg twice a day.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For parenteral dosage form (for injection):
- For treating acute agitation in schizophrenic patients
- Adults? To start, 10 to 20 mg per day. Your doctor may increaseyour dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg a day.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take itas soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skipthe missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not doubledoses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask yourhealth care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do notuse. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check you at regularvisits to make sure your medicine is working for you. Your doctor willcheck your blood to make sure your potassium is normal.
Check with doctor if fainting, dizziness, fast,racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, or other unusual symptoms occur
Symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) include blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit likebreath odor; increased urination; ketones in urine; loss of appetite; stomachache; nausea or vomiting; tiredness; trouble breathing; unconsciousness; orunusual thirst.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alertthan they are normally. Make sure you know how you reactto this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else thatcould be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. Avoid use of alcohol.
Avoid activities involving high temperature or humidity. This medicinemay reduce your body's ability to adjust to the heat.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Symptoms of overdose
Get emergency help immediately if any of the followingsymptoms of overdose occur
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome.
More common
Acid or sour stomach; belching; constipation; diarrhea; difficulty speaking; dizziness; drooling; heartburn; indigestion; lack or loss of strength; loss of balance control; muscle trembling,jerking or stiffness; nausea; rash; restlessness; shufflingwalk; stiffness of limbs; stomach discomfort, upset or pain; twisting movementsof body; uncontrollable movements of body parts; weakness; weight gain
Less common
Change in vision; cough increased; depression ; dry mouth; feeling faint upon standing; inabilityto move eyes; increasing blinking or spasms of eyelid; itching or reddening of skin; loss of appetite; muscle ache; muscle tightness; runny nose; sneezing ; sore throat; sticking out of tongue; stuffy nose; swelling; trouble in breathing, speakingor swallowing; uncontrolled twisting movements ofneck, trunk, arms, or legs; unusual facial expressions; vomiting; weakness ofarms and legs; weight loss
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Developed: 05/30/2001
Revised: 05/04/2005
