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Precautions and Warnings With Ziprasidone
There are a number of precautions and warnings with ziprasidone to be aware of prior to taking the drug. For example, you should generally not drink alcohol while taking ziprasidone. Also, ziprasidone can potentially interact with certain other medicines, and it may not be safe to take during pregnancy. Lastly, there are certain people who should not take ziprasidone, such as those with long QT syndrome and those who are allergic to ziprasidone or any component used to make it.
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking ziprasidone hydrochloride (Geodon®) if you have:
- Diabetes
- Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
- Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- A certain arrhythmia called long QT syndrome
- Heart disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), or other heart problems
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol.
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD