Ziprasidone

Generic name: Ziprasidone

Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Dosage forms: Capsule, Injection

Root of administration: Oral, Intramuscular

Dose: 20, 40, 60, 80 mg

Mechanism of action: Ziprasidone acts as an antagonist at multiple receptors, including dopamine D2 and D3 receptors, serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors, and alpha adrenergic receptors. These receptor interactions contribute to its pharmacological effects.

Drug usage cases: Ziprasidone oral is used to treat schizophrenia and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Ziprasidone injection is used to quickly treat agitation in people with schizophrenia.

Drug contra indications: You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ziprasidone, or if you have:

a heart rhythm disorder; long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); uncontrolled or untreated heart failure; or if you have recently had a heart attack. Ziprasidone can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

an antidepressant; bronchodilator asthma medication, cancer medicine; certain medicines for infections; heart or blood pressure medication; medicine to treat or prevent malaria; medicine to prevent nausea or vomiting; medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder; or medicine to treat HIV or AIDS. Ziprasidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use. Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

any heart problems; a heart attack or stroke; fainting spells; breast cancer; low blood levels of potassium or magnesium; diabetes (ziprasidone may raise your blood sugar); seizures or epilepsy; suicidal thoughts; Alzheimer’s disease; trouble swallowing; liver disease; or kidney disease. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Ziprasidone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling). Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Ziprasidone may cause serious side effects. Stop using ziprasidone and call your doctor at once if you have:

fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement); any skin rash, no matter how mild; low white blood cell counts–fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; high blood sugar–increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or severe nervous system reaction–very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, agitation.

Warnings: You should not use ziprasidone if you have a heart rhythm disorder, long QT syndrome, uncontrolled heart failure, or if you have recently had a heart attack. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together. Stop taking ziprasidone and call your doctor right away if you have sudden dizziness, fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, or a new or worsening skin rash with fever, or swollen glands. Ziprasidone is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop taking ziprasidone without your doctor’s advice. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.