Ziprasidone is used to treat symptoms of psychotic (mental) disorders, such as schizophrenia, mania, or bipolar disorder. It should not be used to treat behavioral problems in elderly patients who have dementia. Ziprasidone works by changing some of the chemicals in the brain that cause psychotic disorders.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor even if you feel well. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not split, crush, or chew it.

You should take this medicine with food at the same time every day.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Cough

difficulty with speaking

drooling

fear or nervousness

fever

inability to sit still

loss of balance control

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

need to keep moving

restlessness

shuffling walk

sneezing

sore throat

stiffness of the limbs

twisting movements of the body

uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Less common

Blurred vision

body aches or pain

chest pain

congestion

dizziness

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

headache

hoarseness

pounding in the ears

runny nose

slow or fast heartbeat

swelling of the tongue

tender, swollen glands in the neck

trouble with swallowing

voice changes

Rare

Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

persistent, painful erection

seizures

Incidence not known

Inability to move the eyes

increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid

sticking out of tongue

trouble with breathing

uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs

unusual facial expressions

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

constipation

diarrhea

heartburn

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

nausea

rash

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

weakness

weight gain

Less common

Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in vision

cracked, dry, or scaly skin

depression

difficulty with moving

dry mouth

increase in salivation

itching or reddening of the skin

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle ache

muscle pains or stiffness

muscle tightness

stuffy nose

swelling

swollen joints

vomiting

weakness of the arms and legs

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine together with amiodarone (Cordarone®), arsenic trioxide, chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), disopyramide (Norpace®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet®), droperidol (Inapsine®), gatifloxacin (Tequin®), halofantrine, levomethadyl acetate, mefloquine (Lariam®), mesoridazine (Serentil®), moxifloxacin (Avelox®), pentamidine (Nebupent®), pimozide (Orap®), probucol, procainamide (Pronestyl®), quinidine (Cardioquin®), sotalol (Betapase®), sparfloxacin (Zagam®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or thioridazine (Mellaril®). Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

This medicine can cause changes in the heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, or yellow skin or eyes while using this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loose skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills.

This medicine may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Ziprasidone can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection, or if you have a fever or chills, a cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or dizzy, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that requires you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Be careful if you exercise often or are exposed to high temperatures or humidity. Drink more water and stay out of the sun.

Ziprasidone may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent weight gain.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.