Geodon

Geodon is used in the management of schizophrenia for the treatment of agitation. In elderly patients with dementia, it can also be used to treat behavioral problems.

It acts on the chemical receptors of the brain that cause schizophrenia. This medicine should only be given under the direct supervision of your doctor.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for injection solution containing ziprasidonemesylate 20 milligram in 1 milliliter,
• Capsule containing 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg or 80 mg of ziprasidone hydrochloride.

Before using Geodon, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

• Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.
• Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children. The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, that would limit the use of this drug in old age group.
• Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “C” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus or relevant studies have not been performed.
• Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together. So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. 

If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

Geodon should be used cautiously with following drugs:

• Alfuzosin
• Amiodarone
• Amifampridine
• Amisulpride
• Anagrelide
• Amitriptyline
• Apomorphine
• Aripiprazole
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Astemizole
• Artemether
• Asenapine
• Atazanavir
• Azithromycin
• Buserelin
• Bedaquiline
• Bepridil
• Chloroquine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Chlorpromazine
• Cisapride
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clarithromycin
• Clozapine
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Crizotinib
• Degarelix
• Dabrafenib
• Dasatinib
• Delamanid
• Disopyramide
• Desipramine
• Deslorelin
• Dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Dolasetron
• Donepezil
• Droperidol
• Doxepin
• Dronedarone
• Ebastine
• Erythromycin
• Eribulin
• Escitalopram
• Felbamate
• Famotidine
• Fingolimod
• Fluconazole
• Flecainide
• Fluoxetine
• Foscarnet
• Formoterol
• Fosphenytoin
• Gemifloxacin
• Galantamine
• Gatifloxacin
• Gonadorelin
• Goserelin
• Halofantrine
• Granisetron
• Haloperidol
• Histrelin
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Hydroquinidine
• Ibutilide
• Iloperidone
• Itraconazole
• Imipramine
• Ivabradine
• Lapatinib
• Ketoconazole
• Leuprolide
• Levofloxacin
• Mesoridazine
• Lumefantrine
• Mefloquine
• Methadone
• Metronidazole
• Metoclopramide
• Mizolastine
• Moxifloxacin
• Nafarelin
• Nelfinavir
• Nilotinib
• Octreotide
• Norfloxacin
• Ofloxacin
• Ondansetron
• Olanzapine
• Paliperidone
• Paroxetine
• Panobinostat
• Pasireotide
• Pazopanib
• Pentamidine
• Perphenazine
• Perflutren Lipid Microsphere
• Pimozide
• Piperaquine
• Pipamperone
• Probucol
• Posaconazole
• Procainamide
• Prochlorperazine
• Promethazine
• Protriptyline
• Propafenone
• Quetiapine
• Quinine
• Quinidine
• Ranolazine
• Rilpivirine
• Ritonavir
• Risperidone
• Saquinavir
• Sevoflurane
• Sertindole
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Solifenacin
• Sotalol
• Sorafenib
• Sparfloxacin
• Sultopride
• Tacrolimus
• Sunitinib
• Tamoxifen
• Telithromycin
• Telaprevir
• Telavancin
• Terfenadine
• Thioridazine
• Tetrabenazine
• Tizanidine
• Toremifene
• Tolterodine
• Trazodone
• Triptorelin
• Trimipramine
• Vandetanib
• Vardenafil
• Vilanterol
• Vemurafenib
• Venlafaxine
• Vinflunine
• Zotepine
• Voriconazole
• Vorinostat

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco. 

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from especially:

• Diabetes 
• Blood or bone marrow problems (eg, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia) 
• Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin in the blood) 
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) 
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), 
• Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
• Priapism (painful or prolonged erection of the penis) 
• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) 
• Heart attack, 
• Dehydration 
• Heart failure 
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) 
• Heart or blood vessel disease 
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood)
• Hypovolemia (low amount of blood) 
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) 
• Stroke

Proper usage of Geodon requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. This medication should only be given by your doctor or nurse. This medicine is given as an intramuscular injection and a capsule.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Geodon. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• Chills
• Confusion
• cold sweats
• Anxiety
• blurred vision
• bleeding or bloody stools
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• breathing too fast
• change in personality
• chest pain or discomfort
• cough
• diarrhea
• the difficulty with speaking
• drooling
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• the feeling of warmth or heat
• fever
• feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• irritability
• the general feeling of discomfort or illness
• joint pain
• loss of balance control
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• multiple swollen and inflamed skin lesions
• muscle discomfort
• muscle tension or tightness
• nausea
• muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
• painful or prolonged erection of the penis
• restlessness
• pounding in the ears
• rigid or stiff muscles
• runny nose
• severe mood or mental changes
• shaking
• shuffling walk
• shivering
• slow or fast heartbeat
• the stiffness of the limbs or muscles
• sore throat
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
• twisting movements of the body
• unusual behavior
• vomiting
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this medication. Also contact your health care professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug. 

If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.