Ziprasidone (Injection)

Introduction

Ziprasidone (zi-PRAY-si-done)

Treats schizophrenia and certain problems caused by bipolar disorder. Treats agitation (excessive movement, tension, or anxiety) in a person who has schizophrenia.

Brand Name(s)

Geodon

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ziprasidone, or if you have severe heart failure or have recently had a heart attack. You should not use this medicine if you have a history of heart rhythm problems such as QT prolongation (including congenital long QT syndrome) or if you are using certain medicines that prolong the QT interval in the heart (such as dofetilide, sotalol, quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, amiodarone, mesoridazine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, droperidol, pimozide, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, halofantrine, mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, levomethadyl acetate, dolasetron mesylate, probucol, or tacrolimus). This medicine should not be used in elderly patients who have a mental illness called dementia-related psychosis.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicines to lower blood pressure, such as atenolol, lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®. Tell your doctor if you are using diuretics or water pills (such as furosemide, Aldactazide®, Aldactone®, Dyazide®, Lasix®, Moduretic®, or Maxzide®), levodopa, carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Tegretol®), or ketoconazole (Nizoral®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart problems, liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, trouble with swallowing, or dizziness or fainting problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke, seizures, breast cancer, or low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of diabetes.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have a family history of a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome. Tell your doctor if you have ever had Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) caused by other antipsychotic medicines.
• This medicine is not approved to treat behavior disorders in older people who have dementia. Using this medicine to treat this problem could increase the risk of death. This risk has not been shown for the approved uses of this medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. This medicine may also make you feel lightheaded when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so get up slowly.
• This medicine may cause an increase in your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood sugar more often. If you are taking medicine for diabetes, your doctor may need to change your dose.
• This medicine may cause you to become overheated more easily than usual. Be careful when exercising, or when you are outdoors in hot or humid weather.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Fast, slow, uneven, or pounding heartbeat.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness.
• In males: painful, prolonged erection of your penis.
• Increase in thirst, hunger, or urination.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Problems with balance or walking.
• Seizures.
• Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Skin rash.
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Pain where the shot was given.
• Severe tiredness.
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
• Sneezing, cough, or stuffy nose.