Ziprasidone
About
Ziprasidone belongs to a group of medicines called 'atypical antipsychotics,' primarily used to treat schizophrenia and manic depression (bipolar disorder). Schizophrenia is a mental condition in which the person may feel, hear or see things that are not there (hallucinations), believe things that are not true, and feel unusually suspicious or confused. Manic depression or bipolar disorder is a serious brain disorder in which a person experiences extreme mood swings (variance in thinking) and frequent mood and behavioural changes.
Ziprasidone contains 'Ziprasidone’ that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain and improves thinking mood, and behaviour. Ziprasidone helps in clear thinking and decreases hallucinations. Ziprasidone is used for treating manic episodes of bipolar disorder and agitation in schizophrenia.
Take this as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Common side effects of Ziprasidone include drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, and cough. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Ziprasidone is not recommended for treatment in patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis. If you are using any prescription and non-prescription medications, let your doctor know before starting Ziprasidone. Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, breathing problems, diabetes, obesity, and fits. If you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor before starting Ziprasidone. Avoid consuming alcohol during the course as it can make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery while using Ziprasidone since it can make you sleepy.
Uses of Ziprasidone
Medicinal Benefits
Ziprasidone is used to treat schizophrenia and manic depression (bipolar disorder). Ziprasidone effectively treats manic episodes of bipolar disorder and agitation in schizophrenia. It contains 'Ziprasidone' that belongs to the class of atypical antipsychotics. Ziprasidone works by restoring the balance of chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain. It is also known to improve thinking, mood and behaviour. Ziprasidone helps in clear thinking and relieves the psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ziprasidone
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Runny nose
- Cough
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Ziprasidone is not recommended for treatment in patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis. Brief your medical history if you have any liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat), breast cancer, breathing problems (sleep apnoea), stroke, diabetes, dementia, fits, low white blood cells, obesity, and swallowing problems before starting Ziprasidone. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother before using Ziprasidone. Avoid consuming alcohol as it might lead to increased side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery as it may decrease your mental alertness, making you feel dizzy or drowsy. Ziprasidone is not recommended for people below 18 years of age as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ziprasidone may interact with opioid pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone), anti-anxiety drugs (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), anti-allergic drugs (cetirizine), common cold medicines (diphenhydramine), antidepressants (escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline), antipsychotics (quetiapine), fits medicines (topiramate), and central nervous system stimulants (lisdexamfetamine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Do not consume alcohol while taking Ziprasidone as it could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Ziprasidone, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat), breast cancer, breathing problems (sleep apnoea), stroke, diabetes, dementia, fits, low white blood cells, obesity and swallowing problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advised to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Ziprasidone. Alcohol intake, along with Ziprasidone, may cause increased dizziness and drowsiness. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
cautionUsing antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy may cause muscle problems in newborns. Please consult your doctor before taking Ziprasidone if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Ziprasidone is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Ziprasidone if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
unsafeZiprasidone may make you feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive if you are not mentally alert or experience any symptoms that affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Ziprasidone if you suffer from any severe kidney impairment/disease.
Children
unsafeZiprasidone is not recommended in people below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain proper weight by following a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly as it helps in less cognitive decline and brain volume loss.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Try to avoid stress by practising meditation or yoga.
- Include fruits and vegetables in your diet as they contain anti-oxidants.
- Eat nutritious food as it helps in cognitive stimulation.
- Limit foods with high cholesterol and saturated fats.
- Cut down on sugar, salt and processed foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle as it helps in improving overall health and possibly protects the brain.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Ziprasidone if you are undergoing any medical tests.
- Ziprasidone may affect blood glucose levels; hence, it is advised to monitor blood sugar levels regularly.
- Ziprasidone may affect QT prolongation (heart muscle takes longer than usual to recharge between beats) that can cause serious fast/irregular heartbeat. Hence it is advised to inform your doctor if you have any heart-related problems like heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram), and a family history of heart diseases.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: It is a condition in which the person may see, hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true, feel unusually suspicious or confused. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, disorganised thinking, loss of interest, lack of emotions, etc. Schizophrenia is triggered by physical, genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Patients suffering from this disease may require lifelong treatment. Treatment involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and care services.
Manic depression (bipolar disorder): It is a serious brain disorder in which a person goes through unusual mood changes (mood swings) and frequent change in his/her behaviour and thinking.
FAQs
Ziprasidone works by balancing the chemical messengers like dopamine and serotonin located in the brain, thereby improving mood, behaviour and thoughts.
Ziprasidone should be used with caution in the medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat), breast cancer, breathing problems (sleep apnoea), stroke, diabetes, dementia, fits, low white blood cells, obesity, and swallowing problems. Please let your doctor know if you have any other medical problems before starting Ziprasidone.
Ziprasidone may make you sweat less and can likely cause heart stroke. Hence, it is advised to limit activities that cause overheat like an exercise in hot weather or using hot tubs. Drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.
Ziprasidone may cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position to make you feel dizzy.
Ziprasidone can cause a side effect called orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing). If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking Ziprasidone are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
