Ziprasidone is used to treat schizophrenia (long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour). It helps relieve symptoms common in schizophrenia, such as distorted thinking and emotional instability.
This medicine is also used on its own or together with other medicines to treat bipolar disorder (mental condition that causes extreme mood changes between feeling very high or mania and very low or depression).
Take Ziprasidone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not open, chew, or crush the capsule.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your response to the medication.
Ziprasidone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart rhythm disorder
- recent heart attack
- heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
as Ziprasidone may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Do not take Ziprasidone with medicines used to treat heart rhythm disorders, nausea and vomiting, fungal infection, malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito), certain antibiotics, and other medicines for mood disorders. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- slow heartbeat
- imbalance of essential minerals in the body
- history of heart disease
- history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- disease of blood vessels supplying the brain
- excessive water loss from the body
- low volume of circulating fluids in the body
- low white blood cell count
- diabetes
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Ziprasidone to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, cholesterol, electrolyte, and blood sugar level) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of mental status and alertness and for signs and symptoms of uncontrollable body movements may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes should I make?
Ziprasidone may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Ziprasidone may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, generalised weakness or lack of energy, headache, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- rashes, fever, tender or enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the face
- confusion, muscle stiffness, fast heartbeat, excessive sweating, agitation, muscle stiffness or spasms, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- frequent sore throat, mouth sores, chills or sweating
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- sudden involuntary movement of the tongue, neck or limbs
- fast or irregular heartbeat
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Ziprasidone if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, dofetilide, ibutilide, sotalol
- other medicines for mood disorders e.g. thioridazine, mesoridazine, chlorpromazine, pimozide
- certain antibiotics e.g. sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, linezolid
- medicines used for malaria e.g. halofantrine, mefloquine
- tacrolimus (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- pentamidine (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- droperidol (medicine used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery)
- arsenic trioxide (medicine for cancer)
- levacetylmethadol (medicine used for substance dependence)
- dolasetron (medicine used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment)
- probucol (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines that cause drowsiness or affect your concentration
- ketoconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- carbamazepine (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ziprasidone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the drowsiness caused by Ziprasidone.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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