Geodon (Ziprasidone)

Geodon is used for treating acute agitation in patients with schizophrenia who require an injectable medicine. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Use Geodon as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Geodon is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Geodon at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Geodon . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
Do not use Geodon if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.

Geodon is 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.

If you miss a dose of Geodon , use 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 use 2 doses at once.

Capsules should be stored at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F).

Do NOT use Geodon if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine
• 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, certain phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), certain quinolone antibiotics (eg, moxifloxacin), cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, halofantrine, levomethadyl, a macrolide immunosuppressive (eg, tacrolimus), mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, a serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetic (eg, dolesetron), sotalol, sparfloxacin, or terfenadine

• 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 heart disease, a slow heartbeat, low blood potassium or magnesium levels, low blood volume, a drug-induced movement disorder, diabetes, kidney or liver problems, a history of stroke, a history of low blood pressure, seizures, difficulty swallowing, Alzheimer disease, dementia, or breast cancer, or if you are overweight

• Arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, class III antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, sotalol), dofetilide, droperidol, halofantrine, IA and IC antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine), levomethadyl, macrolide immunosuppressives (eg, tacrolimus), macrolides and ketolides (eg, azithromycin, erythromycin), mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, probucol, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin), serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, dolesetron), sparfloxacin, streptogramins (eg, mitomycin, pristinamycin), or terfenadine because the risk of side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms may be increased
• Carbamazepine because it may decrease Geodon 's effectiveness

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:

• Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling unusually tired or sleepy; headache; increased cough or runny nose; loss of appetite; nausea; pain at the injection site; upset stomach.

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); altered mental abilities, including lack of response to your surroundings; change in amount of urine; change in vision; difficulty swallowing; fainting or loss of consciousness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, confusion, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor); inability to move; increased body heat; muscle rigidity; muscle spasms or twitching; pounding in the chest; prolonged or painful erection; seizures; sweating; uncontrolled movements (especially of face or tongue); unusual mood or mental changes.

If you have any questions about Casodex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Casodex 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.