Ziprasidone (Oral)

Generic name: Ziprasidone
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Usage of Ziprasidone (Oral)

Ziprasidone is used to treat symptoms of psychotic (mental) disorders, such as schizophrenia, mania, or bipolar disorder. It should not be used to treat behavioral problems in elderly patients who have dementia. Ziprasidone works by changing some of the chemicals in the brain that cause psychotic disorders.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Ziprasidone (Oral) side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Cough

difficulty with speaking

drooling

fear or nervousness

fever

inability to sit still

loss of balance control

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

need to keep moving

restlessness

shuffling walk

sneezing

sore throat

stiffness of the limbs

twisting movements of the body

uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Less common

Blurred vision

body aches or pain

chest pain

congestion

dizziness

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

headache

hoarseness

pounding in the ears

runny nose

slow or fast heartbeat

swelling of the tongue

tender, swollen glands in the neck

trouble with swallowing

voice changes

Rare

Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

persistent, painful erection

seizures

Incidence not known

Inability to move the eyes

increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid

sticking out of tongue

trouble with breathing

uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs

unusual facial expressions

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

constipation

diarrhea

heartburn

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

nausea

rash

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

weakness

weight gain

Less common

Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in vision

cracked, dry, or scaly skin

depression

difficulty with moving

dry mouth

increase in salivation

itching or reddening of the skin

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle ache

muscle pains or stiffness

muscle tightness

stuffy nose

swelling

swollen joints

vomiting

weakness of the arms and legs

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ziprasidone (Oral)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ziprasidone in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ziprasidone in the elderly. However, this medicine should not be used for behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Alfuzosin

Amiodarone

Amisulpride

Amitriptyline

Anagrelide

Apomorphine

Aripiprazole

Aripiprazole Lauroxil

Arsenic Trioxide

Artemether

Asenapine

Astemizole

Atazanavir

Azithromycin

Bedaquiline

Bepridil

Bromopride

Buserelin

Ceritinib

Chloroquine

Chlorpromazine

Ciprofloxacin

Cisapride

Citalopram

Clarithromycin

Clofazimine

Clomipramine

Clothiapine

Clozapine

Crizotinib

Cyclobenzaprine

Dabrafenib

Dasatinib

Degarelix

Delamanid

Desipramine

Deslorelin

Deutetrabenazine

Dexmedetomidine

Disopyramide

Dofetilide

Dolasetron

Domperidone

Donepezil

Doxepin

Dronedarone

Droperidol

Ebastine

Efavirenz

Encorafenib

Entrectinib

Eribulin

Erythromycin

Escitalopram

Etrasimod

Famotidine

Felbamate

Fexinidazole

Fingolimod

Flecainide

Fluconazole

Fluoxetine

Formoterol

Foscarnet

Fosphenytoin

Fostemsavir

Galantamine

Gatifloxacin

Gemifloxacin

Gepirone

Glasdegib

Gonadorelin

Goserelin

Granisetron

Halofantrine

Haloperidol

Histrelin

Hydroquinidine

Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxyzine

Ibutilide

Iloperidone

Imipramine

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin

Itraconazole

Ivabradine

Ivosidenib

Ketoconazole

Lapatinib

Lenvatinib

Leuprolide

Levofloxacin

Levoketoconazole

Lofexidine

Lumefantrine

Macimorelin

Mefloquine

Mesoridazine

Methadone

Metoclopramide

Metronidazole

Mirtazapine

Mizolastine

Mobocertinib

Moxifloxacin

Nafarelin

Nelfinavir

Nilotinib

Norfloxacin

Octreotide

Ofloxacin

Olanzapine

Ondansetron

Osilodrostat

Osimertinib

Oxaliplatin

Pacritinib

Paliperidone

Panobinostat

Paroxetine

Pasireotide

Pazopanib

Pentamidine

Perphenazine

Pimavanserin

Pimozide

Pipamperone

Piperaquine

Pitolisant

Ponesimod

Posaconazole

Probucol

Procainamide

Prochlorperazine

Promethazine

Propafenone

Protriptyline

Quetiapine

Quinidine

Quinine

Ranolazine

Relugolix

Ribociclib

Risperidone

Ritonavir

Saquinavir

Selpercatinib

Sertindole

Sertraline

Sevoflurane

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic

Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic

Solifenacin

Sorafenib

Sotalol

Sparfloxacin

Sulpiride

Sultopride

Sunitinib

Tacrolimus

Tamoxifen

Telaprevir

Telavancin

Telithromycin

Terfenadine

Tetrabenazine

Thioridazine

Tolterodine

Toremifene

Trazodone

Trimipramine

Triptorelin

Vandetanib

Vardenafil

Vemurafenib

Venlafaxine

Vilanterol

Vinflunine

Voclosporin

Voriconazole

Vorinostat

Zotepine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Abametapir

Adagrasib

Alfentanil

Almotriptan

Amineptine

Amitriptylinoxide

Amoxapine

Amphetamine

Benzhydrocodone

Benzphetamine

Brompheniramine

Buprenorphine

Buspirone

Butorphanol

Carbamazepine

Chlorpheniramine

Cobicistat

Cocaine

Codeine

Conivaptan

Darunavir

Desvenlafaxine

Dextroamphetamine

Dextromethorphan

Dibenzepin

Dihydrocodeine

Duloxetine

Eletriptan

Fedratinib

Fenfluramine

Fentanyl

Fluvoxamine

Fosnetupitant

Frovatriptan

Furazolidone

Hydrocodone

Hydromorphone

Hydroxyamphetamine

Hydroxytryptophan

Iproniazid

Isocarboxazid

Lasmiditan

Lefamulin

Levomilnacipran

Levorphanol

Linezolid

Lisdexamfetamine

Lithium

Lofepramine

Lorcaserin

Mavacamten

Melitracen

Meperidine

Metaxalone

Methamphetamine

Methylene Blue

Mifepristone

Milnacipran

Moclobemide

Morphine

Morphine Sulfate Liposome

Nalbuphine

Naratriptan

Nefazodone

Netupitant

Nialamide

Nortriptyline

Omaveloxolone

Opipramol

Oxycodone

Oxymorphone

Ozanimod

Pentazocine

Phenelzine

Phenobarbital

Primidone

Procarbazine

Quizartinib

Rasagiline

Remifentanil

Rizatriptan

Selegiline

Sibutramine

Siponimod

St John's Wort

Sufentanil

Sumatriptan

Tapentadol

Tianeptine

Tramadol

Tranylcypromine

Tryptophan

Vilazodone

Vortioxetine

Zolmitriptan

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Relate drugs

How to use Ziprasidone (Oral)

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor even if you feel well. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not split, crush, or chew it.

You should take this medicine with food at the same time every day.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (capsules):

For bipolar disorder:

Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg two times per day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For schizophrenia:

Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) two times per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg two times per day.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine together with amiodarone (Cordarone®), arsenic trioxide, chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), disopyramide (Norpace®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet®), droperidol (Inapsine®), gatifloxacin (Tequin®), halofantrine, levomethadyl acetate, mefloquine (Lariam®), mesoridazine (Serentil®), moxifloxacin (Avelox®), pentamidine (Nebupent®), pimozide (Orap®), probucol, procainamide (Pronestyl®), quinidine (Cardioquin®), sotalol (Betapase®), sparfloxacin (Zagam®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or thioridazine (Mellaril®). Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

This medicine can cause changes in the heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, or yellow skin or eyes while using this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loose skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills.

This medicine may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Ziprasidone can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection, or if you have a fever or chills, a cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or dizzy, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that requires you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Be careful if you exercise often or are exposed to high temperatures or humidity. Drink more water and stay out of the sun.

Ziprasidone may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent weight gain.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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