The treatment of patients who experience agitation as an effect of schizophrenia. Ziprasidone is an injected medicine. The doctor may also use Ziprasidone for other reasons.
Ziprasidone is one of the many antipsychotic drugs in the market. It works by changing composition of the chemicals that reside in the brain which is said to govern one's behavioral pattern and thought.
Do NOT use Ziprasidone if:
You have allergic reactions to one of the ingredients in Ziprasidone
You have experienced heart disease such as long QT syndrome; heart failure, heart attack, and irregularities in the heart.
you are under the following medications: cisapride, dofetilide, H1 antagonists, halofantrine, macrolide immunosuppressives, mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, serotonin, sotalol, sparfloxacin
If you believe that you are in a situation that does not allow you to use Ziprasidone, contact your medical counsel so that he can explain the consequences of these medications.
Before using Ziprasidone :
There are certain medical conditions that may affect your dosage of Ziprasidone. If such a case occurs, consult your doctor about these medical conditions:
Planning for pregnancy or breast-feeding
Taking medicines (both prescription and nonprescription), herbal medicines, and supplements
If you are allergic to medicine and other substances
Suicidal tendencies
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, or breast cancer, or if you are overweight
There are certain medicines that can affect your Ziprasidone dosage. These medicines combined with Ziprasidone may increase the risk of side effects such as abnormal heart rhythm:
arsenic, cisapride, class III antiarrhythmics (e.g. amiodarone), dofetilide, droperidol, H1 antagonists (e.g.diphenhydramine), halofantrine, IA and IC antiarrhythmics (e.g. procainamide), macrolide immunosuppressives (e.g. tacrolimus), macrolides and ketolides (e.g. erythromycin), mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (e.g. thioridazine), pimozide, probucol, quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin), serotonin, sparfloxacin, streptogramins
The list above is not an exhaustive list of medications that Ziprasidone may interact with. To be sure, it is best to ask your doctor about the effects of Ziprasidone medicines you are currently taking. Only your doctor can modify your Ziprasidone dosage.
How to use Ziprasidone :
Ziprasidone is a potent drug. However, it may cause a lot of complications if the patient does not handle his dosage well. Use Ziprasidone with the guidance of your doctor. For exact instructions, you can read the medicine label.
Ziprasidone is an injectable drug. Usually the doctor can administer the injection. You may have to schedule an appointment with your doctor regularly.
If you decide to administer Ziprasidone in your home, make sure that you have the proper tools and procedures as given by your doctor. Double check your materials such as the quality of the liquid medicine or the integrity of the container.
Do not reuse needs or syringes. It is important to dispose them after use. There are certain regulations governing the disposal of medical paraphernalia. Ask your local hospital nurse about these regulations.
If you miss your dosage administer the medicine as soon as possible. However, do not administer Ziprasidone if you are several hours behind. Instead, continue your regular dosage. Then, notify your doctor about your missed dose.
If you have lingering questions on the usage of Ziprasidone, step up and ask your doctor right away.
Important safety information:
The most common effects of Ziprasidone especially for new users are drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. For this, you must refrain from strenuous or dangerous physical activities such as driving, hiking, or operating machines. Only do so if you have fully adjusted to Ziprasidone.
Do not drink alcohol or medicines that cause dizziness or drowsiness like sedatives and tranquilizers. Ziprasidone will only add to these effects. Consult your doctor about different depressants.
Ziprasidone can cause a person to be lightheaded and faint. Hot weather, exercise, alcohol drinking and fever can increase the effects of Ziprasidone. Learn how to adjust to these conditions by moving slowly, finding a cool spot, and taking sufficient rest. Patients may also be prone to heatstroke.
Ziprasidone is a short-term medication for acute agitation. If your doctor decides that continuous treatment is necessary, your doctor will advice oral medicines.
Ziprasidone increases the risk of diabetes and increased blood sugar. This drug alters your blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic, your doctor will be more cautious in administering Ziprasidone and he will check your blood sugar closely.
Your doctor may order a series of lab tests that will measure your electrolyte levels and blood sugar levels. It is your responsibility to attend these lab appointments.
Elderly patients should be more cautious in using Ziprasidone. They are usually more sensitive to the effects of the medication. Ziprasidone is not recommended for children.
It is important to consult your doctor about your condition if you plan on being pregnant. Ziprasidone can present risks to the baby. While it is not known if Ziprasidone can be absorbed by the mother's milk, breast-feeding is not recommended while the mother takes Ziprasidone.
Use Ziprasidone with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and lightheadedness upon sitting or standing up.
Ziprasidone is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ziprasidone during pregnancy. It is unknown if Ziprasidone is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ziprasidone.
Possible side effects of Ziprasidone :
Medicines such as Ziprasidone cause different side effects. These effects manifest differently on an individual. However, most people do not feel any side effects. Consult your health care provider if you have one these bothersome side effects:
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.
If you feel one of these advanced side effects, go to your nearest hospital:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); 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; fever; high blood sugar
(increased thirst, increased urination, confusion, flushing, rapid breathing,
or fruity breath odor); inability to move; increased body heat; increased heart
rate; irregular heart rhythm; muscle rigidity; muscle spasms or twitching;
pounding in the chest; prolonged or painful erection; seizures; sweating;
uncontrolled movements (especially of face or tongue).
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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