Geodon (Geodon®)
All FDA warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please consult them before taking this medication.
Brand/Generic Names
- Brand name: Geodon®
Available as:
Capsules: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg
Injection: 20 mg/5 mL
What is Geodon® and what does it treat?
Ziprasidone is a second generation antipsychotic (SGA) medication approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Ziprasidone can improve symptoms of schizophrenia such as: hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking; in some people, improvement in social isolation, reduced speech productivity and motivation can also occur. The remainder of this medication sheet will focus primarily on schizophrenia.
What is the most important information I should know about Geodon®?
Relapse is very common in schizophrenia and the most frequent cause is that patients stop taking their medication. Even when medication is taken exactly as prescribed, relapse may still occur for some people. Therefore it is recommended that you take your medication exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider since this has been shown to decrease the risk of relapse.
- Schizophrenia requires long-term treatment. Only your healthcare provider can determine the length of ziprasidone treatment that is right for you.
- Do not stop taking ziprasidone or change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider first.
- Some people may develop side effects on ziprasidone known as extrapyramidal effects (restlessness, tremor, stiffness) or tardive dyskinesia (slow or jerky movements that one cannot control, often starting in the mouth with tongue rolling or chewing movements). These symptoms are likely to be less severe and occur less often than with the older antipsychotic medications (e.g., Haldol® [haloperidol], Prolixin® [fluphenazine], Thorazine® [chlorpromazine]). If you develop movements that you cannot control, call your healthcare provider immediately.
- Many second generation or atypical antipsychotics may cause an increase in weight, blood sugar levels, or lipid levels. If you gain more than 5% of your original weight during therapy, talk to your healthcare provider about whether switching to another antipsychotic medication should be considered.
- Ziprasidone treatment may be associated with strokes and/or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in elderly people with dementia and accompanying behavior problems. This safety concern has not been proven confidently, but there is some evidence. Talk with your health care provider if you are concerned or have questions.
- Both older first and newer second generation antipsychotics have been associated with the risk of sudden cardiac death due to an arrhythmia (irregular conduction of an electrical impulse in the heart). To minimize this possibility, antipsychotic medications should be used in the smallest effective dose in situations where the benefits outweigh the risks, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Often an EKG tracing may be ordered to monitor for conduction changes.
- Ziprasidone treatment must be monitored by a healthcare provider. Be sure to keep all of your scheduled appointments so that you stay healthy while on ziprasidone.
- You should not take illegal drugs or drink alcohol while taking ziprasidone.
Are there specific concerns about Geodon and pregnancy?
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your healthcare provider so that he/she can best manage your medications. People living with schizophrenia who wish to become pregnant face important decisions, each with risks and benefits related to how the illness, medications and the risks to the fetus may interact. This is a complex decision as untreated schizophrenia has risks to the fetus as well as the mother. There are many dimensions to these choices, so be sure to confer with your doctor and caregivers.
Regarding breast-feeding, caution is advised since the extent to which ziprasidonepasses into breast milk is unknown. The manufacturer of ziprasidone adivises that this medication not be used in women who are actively breast feeding.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Geodon®?
- Symptoms of schizophrenia that are bothersome to you.
- If you had any serious side effects with other antipsychotic medications like muscle stiffness, muscle cramping, shaking, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, weight gain, or diabetes. (See the NAMI Hearts and Minds Program.)
- If you have had an allergic reaction to ziprasidone or any other medication.
- History of heart problems, such as heart rhythm problems, long QT syndrome, or heart attacks. These illnesses may make ziprasidone unsafe for you to take.
- Medical problems you have, especially diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, increased body weight, seizures, or kidney disease or impairment.
How should I take Geodon®?
- Ziprasidone is usually taken two times a day. Your body will absorb ziprasidone better if it is taken with food.
- Only your doctor can determine the correct dose for you. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several days to weeks.
- Use a pillbox or calendar to help you remember to take your medication. Or, have a family member or friend remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.
What happens if I miss a dose of Geodon®?
If you miss a dose of ziprasidone take it as soon as you remember it, if it is not too close to when your next dose is due—discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
What should I avoid while taking Geodon®?
- Ziprasidone may cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially when first starting the medication. Make sure you know how you react to the medication before you drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that may be dangerous if you are not alert.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while taking ziprasidone.
What happens if I overdose with Geodon®?
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If an overdose occurs, whether intentional or accidental, immediate medical attention may be necessary. Call your doctor or emergency medical service (911). You may also contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
What are the possible side effects of Geodon®?
What are the common side effects seen with ziprasidone?
Some of the most common side effects associated with ziprasidone are: tiredness, nausea, constipation, dizziness, restlessness, diarrhea, rash, cough and runny nose, and abnormal muscle movements, including tremor, shuffling, and uncontrollable movements.
What are the more serious side effects of antipsychotics?
- With newer second generation antipsychotics (SGA), more commonly seen are diabetes/weight gain/increased cholesterol and triglycerides as noted in stronger warning mandated by the FDA in individual drug labeling. For the relative risk of weight gain and diabetes seen with the various drugs, see Table 2 in the Consensus Conference on Antipsychotic Drugs. These guidelines make recommendations for the monitoring of cardiac risk factors while on atypical antipsychotics.
- Please also consult the Metabolic and Diabetes tab on the Hearts and Minds section for the current monitoring information regarding triglycerides, cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, etc. to help plan preventative interventions.
- Less commonly seen, but important, is the early death/dementia risk as noted in the FDA boxed warning. In some clinical trials, it was determined that elderly people developed strokes at a higher rate than those on placebo medication (sugar pill). The second generation antipsypchotics have less tardive dyskinesia (TD), neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seizures, and changes in heart rhythm than FGA drugs but not zero.
What do I do about the more serious risks?
Please let your doctors know if you have any of the above medical conditions prior to starting ziprasidone.
It is important to be aware of prevention with attention to nutrition, exercise, and reducing your plate size (because the medications may reduce your ability to feel full after eating). For more ideas, see the NAMI Hearts and Minds Program.
Also, obtain Abnormal Involuntary Movement testing (AIMS) to monitor for TD. While it is less common with the SGA, it has been reported. If you are taking an older FGA, then regular AIMS testing is needed for monitoring, so you can make good choices about the use of the drug when weighing the risks and benefits.
Are there any risks for taking Geodon® for long periods of time?
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a side effect that may develop with prolonged use of antipsychotics. Medications such as ziprasidone have been shown to have a much lower risk of TD compared to older antipsychotics, such as Haldol® (haloperidol).] Should you develop symptoms of TD, such as grimacing, sucking and smacking of lips, and other movements that you cannot control, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
No one can predict how much weight a person will gain on any medicine, but an approach that includes exercise and diet and monitoring for weight gain and diabetes is recommended.
What other drugs may interact with Geodon®?
Medications that can cause increases in ziprasidone levels or cardiac effects include:
- Prozac® (fluoxetine)
- Erythromycin
- Biaxin® (clarithromycin)
- Sporanox® (itraconazole)
- Nizoral® (ketoconazole)
Medications that can cause decreases in ziprasidone levels include:
- Tegretol®, Equetro® (carbamazepine)
- Trileptal® (oxcarbazepine)
- Dilantin® (phenytoin)
- Phenobarbital
- Mycobutin® (rifabutin)
- Rifadin®/Rimactane®/Rofact® (rifampin/rifampicin)
- St. John’s Wort
How long does it take for Geodon® to work?
Ziprasidone rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior. Improvement of some symptoms may be noticed in some patients within a few weeks. The full benefit of ziprasidone may not be seen for 6-12 weeks or longer.
FDA ALERT [06/06/2008]
Both conventional and atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of mortality in elderly patients treated for dementia-related psychosis.
Antipsychotics are not indicated for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis. |
Updated by
Charles F. Caley, Pharm.D., BCPP
( June 2010)
NAMI wishes to thank the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists for producing this fact sheet.
Reviewed by Dr. Ken Duckworth, NAMI Medical Director |
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