• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?

ZIPRASIDONE (zi PRAY si done) is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• dementia
• diabetes or high blood sugar
• heart disease, including heart failure
• irregular heartbeat
• liver disease
• low potassium level in the blood
• Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders
• previous heart attack or stroke
• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ziprasidone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alfuzosin
• arsenic trioxide
• certain antidepressants
• certain macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, and troleandomycin
• certain quinolone antibiotics like gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and sparfloxacin
• chloroquine
• cisapride
• clozapine
• dolasetron
• droperidol
• halofantrine
• haloperidol
• levomethadyl
• medicines for treating heart-rhythm problems like amiodarone, dofetilide, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol
• methadone
• palonosetron
• pentamidine
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine and thioridazine
• pimozide
• probucol
• propafenone
• risperidone
• sertindole
• tacrolimus
• vardenafil

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• carbamazepine
• diuretics
• medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole
• medicines for Parkinson's disease
• some medications for blood pressure
• stimulants like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

This medicine can change the response of your body to heat or cold. Try not to get overheated. Avoid temperature extremes, such as saunas, hot tubs, or very hot or cold baths or showers. Dress warmly in cold weather.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Last Updated: July 30, 2009