Geodon

Generic Name: ziprasidone (zi PRAY si done)
Brand Names: Geodon

What is Geodon?

Geodon (ziprasidone) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Geodon is used to treat schizophrenia and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Geodon may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Geodon if you have a a heart rhythm disorder, a history of Long QT syndrome, uncontrolled heart failure, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Geodon, and should not be used at the same time. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

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Stop taking Geodon and call your doctor right away if you have a chest pain, severe dizziness, and a fast or pounding heartbeat. These could be signs of a serious heart rhythm problem.

In rare cases, Geodon may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal if it spreads to other parts of the body. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have a new or worsening skin rash with fever or swollen glands.

Geodon is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. This medicine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Geodon if you are allergic to ziprasidone, or if you have:

a heart rhythm disorder;

a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

uncontrolled or untreated heart failure; or

if you have recently had a heart attack.

Geodon is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Geodon may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Geodon should never be taken together with any of the following drugs, or a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder could occur:

anagrelide;

methadone;

tacrolimus;

medicine to prevent nausea or vomiting - dolasetron, droperidol, ondansetron;

an antibiotic - azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine;

cancer medicine - arsenic trioxide, vandetanib;

an antidepressant - citalopram, escitalopram;

anti-malaria medication - chloroquine, halofantrine, mefloquine;

heart rhythm medicine - amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, sotalol; or

medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder - chlorpromazine, haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, thioridazine.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that should not be taken at the same time as Geodon. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use.

To make sure Geodon is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

any heart problems;

a history of heart attack or stroke;

a history of bone marrow or blood cell disorder;

a history of breast cancer;

low blood levels of potassium or magnesium;

diabetes (ziprasidone may raise your blood sugar);

seizures or epilepsy;

a history of suicidal thoughts;

Alzheimer's disease;

trouble swallowing;

liver disease; or

kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Geodon, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.

It is not known whether ziprasidone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Geodon is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Geodon?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take this medicine with food. Swallow the capsule whole.

While using Geodon, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be checked.

If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Geodon.

Use Geodon regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Do not stop using Geodon 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.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Geodon dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:

Oral:

Initial dose: 20 mg orally twice a day

Maintenance dose: Adjust as clinically indicated at intervals of not less than 2 days

Maximum dose: 100 mg twice a day

Comments: A dose greater than 80 mg twice a day is generally not recommended.

Intramuscular:

Recommended dose: 10 to 20 mg IM; may repeat 10 mg IM every 2 hours or 20 mg IM every 4 hours up to maximum daily dose

Maximum dose: 40 mg IM per day

Duration of therapy: Use beyond 3 consecutive days has not been studied

Comments:

-Coadministration of IM ziprasidone to patient's already taking oral ziprasidone has not been studied and is not recommended.

-If long-term therapy is indicated, oral capsules should replace IM administration as soon as possible.

Uses:

-Treatment of schizophrenia (oral)

-Acute treatment of agitation in schizophrenia (IM)

Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder:

Acute Treatment of Manic or Mixed Episodes:

-Initial dose: 40 mg orally twice daily

-Increase dose to 60 mg or 80 mg twice daily on the second day; subsequently adjust dose based on tolerance and efficacy within the dose range of 40 to 80 mg orally twice a day

Maintenance Treatment (as adjunct to lithium or valproate):

-Once stabilized, continue on same dose within the range of 40 to 80 mg orally twice daily.

Comments:

-The mean ziprasidone dose administered in flexible-dose clinical trials was approximately 120 mg per day.

-Monotherapy has not been systematically evaluated for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.

Uses:

-As monotherapy for the acute management of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder

-As adjunct to lithium or valproate for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.