Ziprasidone

Q: What should be discussed with my health care provider before taking Ziprasidone?

Tell your doctor if you have diabetes , Any allergy , Any significant changes in behaviour , Heart-related problems , Pregnancy

Q: Are there any precautions that I must consider?

One must avoid alcohol when taking this medicine , Do not drive or operate heavy machinery , This medicine leads to increased sleepiness, impaired judgment, thinking ability and altered control over body movements , It may cause symptoms of high blood glucose even if you do not have diabetes , Inform your doctor if you experience any unusual muscle movements in the arms, jaws, tongue, limbs, etc. , Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant

Description

Ziprasidone is an atypical antipsychotic agent useful to treat certain mental d

isorders (like schizophrenia).

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses

For treatment of schizophrenia (a disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly).

Contraindications

When should one not use Ziprasidone

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Ziprasidone or any ingredient of this medicine
Do not take this medicine if you have a history of irregular heart rhythm
Do not take this medicine if you have prolonged Q-T interval on ECG
Do not take this medicine if you have an account of recent heart attacks or heart failure

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Sleepiness
Headache
The rise in blood sugar levels
Lightheadedness
Running nose
Cough
Weakness
Difficulty in breathing during sleep
Respiratory tract infection
Abnormal, uncontrolled movements
Vision problems

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Ziprasidone during pregnancy?

It is unsafe to use Ziprasidone during pregnancy. Take only when specifically prescribed by your doctor.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Ziprasidone while breastfeeding?

It is unsafe to use Ziprasidone during breastfeeding. Take if found essential by your doctor.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Ziprasidone?

Taking this medicine may cause unsteadiness, blurred vision or headache. It is not recommended to drive or operate heavy machinery when taking this medicine.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Ziprasidone?

Alcohol may worsen the side effects. It is not advised to consume alcohol when taking this medicine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have diabetes
You have any allergy or any significant changes in behaviour
You have heart-related problems

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Ziprasidone regulates certain chemical activities within the brain, which are responsible for thoughts, behaviour and mood.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

It may reduce the effects of Levodopa and Dopaminergic medicines given to patients of Parkinson’s disease
It may cause altered metabolism if given with Carbamazepine and Ketoconazole
Metoclopramide
Saquinavir
Muscle relaxants
Cough syrups
Sotalol
Tacrolimus
Quinidine
Moxifloxacin

Interactions with food items

No information is available on interactions of Ziprasidone when taken with food, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.

Dosage

Overdose

Ziprasidone overdose can lead to symptoms such as sedation, slurred speech, an increase in blood pressure, trouble in breathing, tremors, unconsciousness and anxiety. If you suspect an overdose, seek ...

Missed a Dose

Take the missed dose as early as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is already time for the next dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Arpit Verma

MBBS, MD CCEBDM Diabetology

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What should be discussed with my health care provider before taking Ziprasidone?

Tell your doctor if you have diabetes
Any allergy
Any significant changes in behaviour
Heart-related problems
Pregnancy

Q: Are there any precautions that I must consider?

One must avoid alcohol when taking this medicine
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery
This medicine leads to increased sleepiness, impaired judgment, thinking ability and altered control over body movements
It may cause symptoms of high blood glucose even if you do not have diabetes
Inform your doctor if you experience any unusual muscle movements in the arms, jaws, tongue, limbs, etc.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant