Ziprasidone

Ziprasidone is a medicine that is licensed for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults. Although it cannot cure either condition, the medication can improve symptoms and help prevent them from returning. Ziprasidone, which comes in capsule form and is available by prescription, is usually taken by mouth twice daily. Some possible side effects of ziprasidone include drowsiness, weight gain, headaches, and dizziness.

 

What Is Ziprasidone?

Ziprasidone hydrochloride (Geodon®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
 

Who Makes Ziprasidone?

Ziprasidone is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
 
(Click What Is Ziprasidone Used For? for more information on ziprasidone uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does Ziprasidone Work?

Ziprasidone belongs to a group of medications called atypical (or second-generation) antipsychotic medications. It is not entirely known how ziprasidone works for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, it is known that the drug blocks or lessens the effects of several chemicals in the brain. These brain chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) may be elevated in people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).
 
Ziprasidone is not a cure for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It only helps to control symptoms (see Symptoms of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Symptoms).
 

Ziprasidone Effects

In previous clinical studies of ziprasidone for the treatment of schizophrenia, people taking the medication experienced improvements in their schizophrenia symptoms (including hallucinations and suspiciousness), compared to those not taking ziprasidone. Longer studies also showed that ziprasidone can help symptoms from returning.
 
Previous clinical studies have also shown ziprasidone to be effective for bipolar disorder treatment. In these studies, the drug was effective for treating episodes of mania or mixed episodes (which involve symptoms of both mania and depression).
 
(Ziprasidone Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;