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ziprasidone

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Brand names: Geodon

Atypical Antipsychotic Rx

Ziprasidone is a medicine used to treat mental disorders. It helps to balance chemicals in the brain to improve mood and behavior.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$23.92/unit

Generic Price

$0.23/unit

Generic Savings

99%

Generic Available

Yes (8 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Ziprasidone treats schizophrenia in adults.

Common side effects

Feeling sleepy, Respiratory tract infection, Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement problems)

Key warnings

This medicine may increase the risk of death in elderly patients who have psychosis related to dementia.

How It Works

Ziprasidone is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and serotonin. By balancing these chemicals, it helps to reduce symptoms of mental illness.

How to Take It

Take ziprasidone capsules by mouth with food. Swallow the capsules whole; do not crush, open, or chew them. For schizophrenia, you may start with 20 mg twice a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose up to 80 mg twice a day, but no sooner than every 2 days.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Babies born to mothers who use this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may have withdrawal symptoms after birth. There is a pregnancy registry, call 1-866-961-2388.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store ziprasidone capsules at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C).

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 9,010 FDA adverse event reports.

The medicine is not working
1,350
Gaining weight
1,176
Diabetes
1,003
Feeling anxious
875
Type 2 diabetes
859
Trouble sleeping
801
Feeling depressed
782
Feeling sleepy
745
Feeling tired
719
Movement disorder
700

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 17,328 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.

Total Reports

17,328

Death-Related Reports

1,171

Hospitalization Reports

4,189

Top Indication

Bipolar Disorder

Gender Distribution

Female 9,453 (61%)
Male 5,832 (38%)

Age Distribution

0–17 782
18–44 4,204
45–64 3,163
65–74 550
75+ 225

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 1,350
2 WEIGHT INCREASED 1,176
3 DIABETES MELLITUS 1,003
4 ANXIETY 875
5 TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS 859
6 INSOMNIA 801
7 DEPRESSION 782
8 SOMNOLENCE 744
9 FATIGUE 719
10 TARDIVE DYSKINESIA 700
11 TREMOR 686
12 NAUSEA 673
13 DIZZINESS 587
14 FEELING ABNORMAL 587
15 SUICIDAL IDEATION 568

Reactions in Death Reports

COMPLETED SUICIDE 379
DEATH 247
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS 152
CARDIAC ARREST 101
CARDIO-RESPIRATORY ARREST 97
RESPIRATORY ARREST 56
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION 34
SUDDEN DEATH 34
ARRHYTHMIA 33
HYPOTENSION 32

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

WEIGHT INCREASED 367
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 354
DIABETES MELLITUS 321
DEPRESSION 299
SUICIDE ATTEMPT 277
ANXIETY 271
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS 254
SUICIDAL IDEATION 247
NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME 244
HYPERTENSION 226

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

This medicine may increase the risk of death in elderly patients who have psychosis related to dementia. Ziprasidone is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis. Talk to your doctor about the risks if you are an elderly patient with dementia.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate buspirone

Risk of serotonin syndrome with concomitant therapy with other serotonergic drugs such as SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St.

Mechanism: Both of these drugs increase a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Having too much serotonin can lead to a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.

What to do: Tell your doctor if you feel very restless, confused, or have a fast heartbeat. Your doctor will decide if it is safe for you to take both medicines.

moderate lithium

Risk of serotonin syndrome with concomitant therapy with other serotonergic drugs such as SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. 7.5 Lithium Ziprasidone at a dose of 40 mg twice daily administered concomitantly with lithium at a dose of 450 mg twice daily for 7 days did not affect the steady-state level or renal clearance of lithium. Ziprasidone dosed adjunctively to lithium in a maintenance trial of bipolar patients did not affect mean therapeutic lithium levels.

Mechanism: These drugs can both raise serotonin levels in the body. When used together, they may cause a serious reaction called serotonin syndrome.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for symptoms like muscle stiffness or fever. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your provider first.

7.5 Drugs That Cause QTc Prolongation Tetrabenazine causes a small prolongation of QTc (about 8 msec), concomitant use with other drugs that are known to cause QTc prolongation should be avoided, these including antipsychotic medications (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, thioridazine, ziprasidone), antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin), Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) and Class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or any other medications known to prolong the QTc interval. 7.6 Neuroleptic Drugs The risk for Parkinsonism, NMS, and akathisia may be increased by con...

Mechanism: Both drugs can cause a dangerous change in the heart's rhythm and increase the risk of serious movement problems.

What to do: You should avoid taking these drugs together to prevent heart rhythm issues and severe muscle side effects.

Ziprasidone at a dose of 20 mg twice daily did not affect the pharmacokinetics of concomitantly administered oral contraceptives, ethinyl estradiol (0.03 mg) and levonorgestrel (0.15 mg).

Mechanism: Ziprasidone does not change the way the body breaks down or removes estradiol from the system. This means the levels of the hormone in your blood stay the same.

What to do: You can safely take these medications together without needing to adjust your dose. Your birth control or hormone therapy should work as expected.

7.9 Other Concomitant Drug Therapy Population pharmacokinetic analysis of schizophrenic patients enrolled in controlled clinical trials has not revealed evidence of any clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions with benztropine, propranolol, or lorazepam.

Mechanism: Studies of patients show that these two drugs do not have a significant effect on how the body handles either medication. They do not change each other's levels in the body.

What to do: No special precautions or dose changes are typically required when using these drugs at the same time.

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Common Questions

Can I take ziprasidone without food?
No, you should always take ziprasidone with food.
What should I do if I feel worse after starting ziprasidone?
Contact your doctor right away if you feel worse or have new or worsening symptoms.
Can I drive while taking ziprasidone?
Ziprasidone may cause sleepiness or impair your ability to think clearly. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
How long does it take for ziprasidone to start working?
It may take several weeks to see the full benefits of ziprasidone. Continue taking the medicine as prescribed, and talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Can I stop taking ziprasidone suddenly?
Do not stop taking ziprasidone without talking to your doctor first. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Does ziprasidone interact with other medications?
Yes, ziprasidone can interact with other medications. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements.
What if I experience side effects?
Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience. They may be able to adjust your dose or suggest ways to manage the side effects.
Can ziprasidone cause weight gain?
Yes, weight gain is a possible side effect of ziprasidone. Monitor your weight and talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Is ziprasidone addictive?
No, ziprasidone is not considered addictive.
What should I avoid while taking ziprasidone?
Avoid alcohol and other drugs that can cause drowsiness while taking ziprasidone.
What are the common side effects of ziprasidone?
The most commonly reported side effects of ziprasidone include Feeling sleepy, Respiratory tract infection, Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement problems), Dizziness, Restlessness. Based on 9,010 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does ziprasidone interact with other medications?
Yes, ziprasidone has 18 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include buspirone, lithium, tetrabenazine. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is ziprasidone?
ziprasidone belongs to the Atypical Antipsychotic drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Ziprasidone treats schizophrenia in adults.
Is there a generic version of ziprasidone?
Yes, generic ziprasidone is available from 8 manufacturers. The generic costs $0.23 per unit compared to $23.92 for the brand version, saving approximately 99%. Pricing is based on NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) data from CMS.
Is ziprasidone safe during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Babies born to mothers who use this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may have withdrawal symptoms after birth. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for ziprasidone

The FDA label for ziprasidone (sold under brand names such as Geodon) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Atypical Antipsychotic class. Ziprasidone treats schizophrenia in adults. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling sleepy, Respiratory tract infection, Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement problems).

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 9,010 voluntary reports. The database also lists 18 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.23 versus $23.92 for the brand — a 99% generic savings.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: April 5, 2025

All federal data sources used on this page