Geodon
Ziprasidone
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Geodon
Geodon is an anti psychotic drug. It acts by altering the balance of chemicals that are responsible for thinking and behavior of humans.
Therapeutic Uses of Geodon
Geodon is used in the treatment of schizophrenia with acute agitation. Patients with acute agitation usually require injectable medicines. It can also be used in some other medical conditions as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Geodon
Use Geodon as per direction of your doctor. Geodon is generally given at doctor’s clinic or in a hospital because it is available as injection form. If you have to use Geodon at home you should learn and know the exact procedure to use it. Follow the procedure and technique that you learn from health care provider. Check the label for dosing information and if you have any doubt about Geodon, consult your doctor or other health care provider.
Geodon should not be used if it contains any particles or if the solution is cloudy or discolored. Do not use it if the vial is cracked, damaged or broken.
Keep Geodon, syringes and needles out of reach of children. Do not reuse the syringes, needles and other materials. Follow the local rules for disposal of syringes and needles and other materials. If you have any question about disposal, consult your health care provider.
If You Miss a Dose of Geodon
If you miss a dose of Geodon, take the injection as soon as you can remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose than skip the missed dose and take the next injection as normal schedule. Never take 2 doses at a time, it may cause serious imbalance in brain chemicals.
How to Store Geodon
Geodon should be stored at room temperature i.e. between 15 and 30 degree C or 59 to 86 degrees F. Keep Geodon out of reach of children and store it in a cool, dry and dark place.
More Information About Geodon
If there is no improvement in your symptoms, consult your doctor because you may require changing the medicine or the dose. Do not share Geodon with anyone and use it for yourself only. If you have any question about Geodon, consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Geodon
Do not use Geodon if you have any of the following problems and consult your doctor as soon as possible:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients of Geodon.
- If you have heart problems like recent heart attack; heart failure, have irregular heart beat like long QT syndrome.
- If you are taking any of the medicines like certain fluoroquinolone antibiotics (moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin etc.), a macrolide immunosuppressive (tacrolimus), phenothiazines (thioridazine), mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, halofantrine, levomethadyl, 5-HT3 antagonist anti emetics like dolesetron, terfenadine or antihypertensive like sotalol etc.
Geodon may react with some of the medical conditions listed below. If form your doctor if you have any of the medical conditions that are listed below:
- If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breast feeding.
- If you have suicidal tendency or attempted suicide.
- If you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, or other substances.
- If you are on any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplements.
- If you have any heart disease (a slow heartbeat, history of stroke, low blood pressure, low blood volume etc.), low blood potassium levels, low blood magnesium levels, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, seizures, Alzheimer disease, dementia, breast cancer, obesity etc.
Some medicines can interact with Geodon and cause problem for that. The following medicines may interact with Geodon and you should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines:
- The effectiveness of Geodon may be reduced by carbamazepine.
- Side effects like abnormal heart rhythm may be increased if Geodon is taken along with medicines like 5-HT3 antagonist anti emetics (dolesetron), class III antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone, sotalol), IA and IC antiarrhythmics (flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine), phenothiazines (thioridazine), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin), macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin, erythromycin), macrolide immunosuppressives (tacrolimus), arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, mefloquine, methadone, terfenadine, mitomycin, pristinamycin, pentamidine, pimozide etc.
Possible Adverse Effects Geodon
As like any other medicines Geodon has some side effects and some of the side effects are minor and some are serious. Some are common and some are not common. If you get any of the common and minor side effects and they become bothersome or last for prolonged period, consult your doctor. The following are the common and minor side effects:
- Headache, drowsiness, diarrhea, dizziness, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, pain at the injection site, stomach upset, dry mouth, running nose, cough etc.
Consult your doctor immediately if you get any of the serious side effects like the list below, consult your doctor immediately:
- Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness), high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urine production or polyurea, confusion, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor), uncontrolled movements of face or tongue, unusual mental changes, lack of response to your surroundings, loss of consciousness, dysphagia, fast and irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms or muscle twitching, muscle rigidity, fever, fainting, prolonged and painful erection of penis, vision change, generalized weakness etc.