Ziprasidone : Before Using

Ziprasidone - Systemic

Brand Names

Geodon Ziprasidone *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For ziprasidone, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to ziprasidone. Also tell your family doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Ziprasidone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that ziprasidone causes birth defects and other problems. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

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.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of ziprasidone in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of ziprasidone in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ziprasidone, it is especially important that your family doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

Arsenic trioxide - Trisenox
Chlorpromazine - Thorazine
Class Ia and III anti-arrhythmics
Dofetilide - Tikosyn
Dolasetron mesylate - Anzemet
Droperidol - Inapsine
Gatifloxacin - Tequin
Halofantrine - Halfan
Levomethadyl acetate - Orlaam
Mefloquine - Lariam
Mesoridazine - Serentil
Moxifloxacin - Avelox
Pentamidine - Nebupent, Pentam 300
Pimozide - Orap
Probucol - Lorelco
Quinidine - Quinidex, Quiniglute
Sotalol - Betapace
Sparfloxacin - Zagam
Tacrolimus - Prograf
Thioridazine - Mellaril May cause serious problems with your heart.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of ziprasidone. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Heart attack - recent
Heart disease
Irregular heartbeat
Heart failure Ziprasidone may make these conditions worse

Low level of magnesium in your blood
Low level of potassium in your blood This increases risk for heart problems

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - NMS
Tardive Dyskinesia May appear or worsen with ziprasidone therapy

Seizures
Alzheimer's disease Increased risk of seizures and aspiration pneumonia