In the U.S.—

• Antipsychotic

Ziprasidone ( zi-PRAS-uh-done) is used to treat schizophrenia which is a mental disorder.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S.)

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 ziprasidone, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ziprasidone. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if 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 defects and other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether ziprasidone passes into the 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 in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of ziprasidone in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ziprasidone in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other 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 ziprasidone, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if 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 with your heart.

• Heart attack (recent) or
• Heart disease or
• Irregular heartbeat or
• Heart failure—Ziprasidone may make these conditions worse

• Low level of magnesium in your blood or
• Low level of potassium in your blood—This increases chance for 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 aspiration pneumonia

Do not chew the capsules, swallow whole.

Dosing—

The dose of ziprasidone 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 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 time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking ziprasidone.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  • For treating schizophrenia:
    • Adults—To start, 20 milligrams (mg) twice a day with food. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg twice a 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—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits to make sure your medicine is working for you. Your doctor will check 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

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. Avoid use of alcohol .

Avoid activities involving high temperature or humidity. This medicine may reduce your body's ability to adjust to the heat.

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.

• Less common
  • Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse;  palpitations 
  
  

• Rare
  • Dizziness;  fainting or feeling faint ;  persistent, painful erection;  seizures;  fainting 
  
  

• Symptoms of overdose

  Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur

  • Drowsiness;  sleepiness;  slurred speech 
  
  

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More common
  • Lack or loss of strength;  weakness;  uncontrollable movements of body parts;  constipation;  diarrhea;  acid or sour stomach;  belching;  heartburn;  indigestion;  stomach discomfort, upset or pain;  difficulty speaking ;  drooling;  loss of balance control;  muscle trembling;  jerking or stiffness;  restlessness;  shuffling walk;  stiffness of limbs;  twisting movements of body;  nausea;  rash;  weight gain 
  
  

• Less common
  • Change in vision;  loss of appetite;  weight loss;  dry mouth;  inability to move eyes;  increasing blinking or spasms of eyelid;  sticking out of tongue;  trouble in breathing, speaking or swallowing;  unusual facial expressions;  itching or reddening of skin;  cracked, dry, scaly skin;  swelling;  muscle tightness;  muscle ache;  feeling faint upon standing;  stuffy nose;  runny nose;  sneezing 
  
  

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