Pronunciation: zi-PRAS-i-done
Generic Name: Ziprasidone
Brand Name: Geodon
Geodon Capsules is an antipsychotic. It may increase the risk of death when used to treat mental problems caused by dementia in elderly patients. Most of the deaths were linked to heart problems or infection. Geodon Capsules is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Geodon Capsules is used for:
Treating schizophrenia. It is also used alone or with other medicines (eg, lithium, valproate) to treat bipolar disorder (manic-depression). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Geodon Capsules an antipsychotic. It may work by altering the balance of certain chemicals that occur naturally in the brain, which are responsible for thinking and behavior.
Do NOT use Geodon Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Geodon Capsules
- you have recently had a heart attack, have severe heart failure, or have a history of certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, long QT syndrome)
- you are taking astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, halofantrine, levomethadyl, a macrolide immunosuppressive (eg, tacrolimus), mefloquine, methadone, nilotinib, pentamidine, certain phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, certain quinolone antibiotics (eg, moxifloxacin), a serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetic (eg, dolasetron), sotalol, sparfloxacin, terfenadine, or tetrabenazine.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Geodon Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Geodon Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have considered or attempted suicide
- if you have had any problem with fainting or dizziness
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat), low blood potassium or magnesium levels, low blood volume, low white blood cell counts, a drug-induced movement disorder, diabetes, kidney or liver problems, stroke, heart attack, low blood pressure, seizures, difficulty swallowing, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), Alzheimer disease, or dementia
- if you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes or if you are very overweight
- if you have had high blood prolactin levels or a history of certain types of cancer (eg, breast, pancreas, pituitary), or if you are at risk for breast cancer
- if you are dehydrated, drink alcohol, or will be exposed to high temperatures
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Geodon Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, chloroquine, cisapride, class III antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, sotalol), dofetilide, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, IA and IC antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine), kinase inhibitors (eg, lapatinib, nilotinib), levomethadyl, macrolide immunosuppressives (eg, tacrolimus), macrolides and ketolides (eg, azithromycin, erythromycin), maprotiline, mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, probucol, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin), serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, dolasetron), sparfloxacin, streptogramins (eg, mitomycin, pristinamycin), terfenadine, or tetrabenazine because the risk of side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms, may be increased
- Tramadol because the risk of seizures may be increased
- Ketoconazole because it may increase the risk of Geodon Capsules's side effects
- Carbamazepine because it may decrease Geodon Capsules's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Geodon Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Geodon Capsules:
Use Geodon Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Geodon Capsules. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Geodon Capsules by mouth with food.
- Swallow Geodon Capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Taking Geodon Capsules at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Take Geodon Capsules on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- It may take a few weeks for you to notice the benefits of Geodon Capsules. Continue to take Geodon Capsules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Geodon Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Geodon Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Geodon Capsules may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Geodon Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Geodon Capsules; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Geodon Capsules may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
- Geodon Capsules may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
- Geodon Capsules may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Geodon Capsules may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Diabetes patients - Geodon Capsules may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Geodon Capsules. Your risk may be greater if you take Geodon Capsules with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans," monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs]). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Geodon Capsules. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Geodon Capsules may increase the amount of a certain hormone (prolactin) in your blood. Symptoms may include enlarged breasts, missed menstrual period, decreased sexual ability, or nipple discharge. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Some patients who take Geodon Capsules may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Geodon Capsules in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Geodon Capsules.
- Lab tests, including electrolyte levels, complete blood cell counts, or fasting blood sugar levels, may be performed while you use Geodon Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Geodon Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and lightheadedness upon sitting or standing up and uncontrolled muscle movements.
- Geodon Capsules should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Geodon Capsules while you are pregnant. Using Geodon Capsules during the third trimester may result in uncontrolled muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. It is not known if Geodon Capsules is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Geodon Capsules.
Possible side effects of Geodon Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling unusually tired or sleepy; headache; increased cough or runny nose; loss of appetite; nausea; restlessness; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thoughts; change in amount of urine produced; confusion; decreased sexual ability; difficulty speaking or swallowing; enlarged breasts; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills or persistent sore throat; inability to move; missed menstrual period; muscle rigidity; muscle spasms or twitching; nipple discharge; pounding in the chest; prolonged or painful erection; seizures; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; sweating; symptoms of high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, confusion, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor); tremor; uncontrolled movements (eg, arm or leg movements, twitching of the face or tongue, jerking or twisting); unusual mood or mental changes; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Geodon side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; irregular heartbeat; seizure; slurring of speech; uncontrolled movement of the head and neck.
Proper storage of Geodon Capsules:
Store Geodon Capsules at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Geodon Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Geodon Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Geodon Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Geodon Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Geodon resources
- Geodon Side Effects (in more detail)
- Geodon Dosage
- Geodon Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Geodon Drug Interactions
- Geodon Support Group
- 82 Reviews for Geodon - Add your own review/rating
Compare Geodon with other medications
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- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
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- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Tourette's Syndrome
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