Ziprasidone Dosing

Ziprasidone dosing for schizophrenia treatment usually starts at 20 mg twice a day. For the treatment of bipolar disorder, the recommended starting dosage is 40 mg twice per day. If needed, your healthcare provider may choose to increase your daily ziprasidone dosage up to a maximum of 80 mg twice daily. Make sure to take your doses at the same times each day to maintain even levels of the drug in your blood.

 

An Introduction to Ziprasidone Dosing

The dose of ziprasidone hydrochloride (Geodon®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • The severity of your condition
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your ziprasidone dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
Ziprasidone Dosing for Schizophrenia
The recommended starting dose of ziprasidone for schizophrenia is 20 mg twice daily with food. If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your ziprasidone dose up to a maximum of 80 mg twice daily.
 
Ziprasidone Dosing for Bipolar Disorder
The recommended starting dose of ziprasidone for bipolar disorder is 40 mg twice daily with food. If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your dose up to a maximum of Ziprasidone 80 mg twice daily.
 

General Information on Ziprasidone Dosing

Some considerations for people taking ziprasidone include:
 
  • Ziprasidone comes in capsule form. It is usually taken by mouth twice daily.
     
  • Ziprasidone should be taken with food, since taking the medication on an empty stomach decreases the absorption of ziprasidone into your body.
     
  • Ziprasidone should be taken at the same times each day to maintain even levels of the drug in your blood.
     
  • For ziprasidone to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. The drug will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or ziprasidone dosing in general, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking ziprasidone without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Geodon Withdrawal).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;