What is Geodon: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Geodon overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Geodon, Ziprasidone HCl, Geodon, PremierPro Rx Geodon

Generic Names:

  • Ziprasidone Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats agitation in patients with schizophrenia., Treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antipsychotic, Antipsychotic

Forms:

  • Injectable, Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, By injection

What is Geodon used for?

What form(s) does Geodon come in

  • Injectable

  • Capsule

What are common Geodon doses?

  • Solution Reconstituted 20MG

  • Capsule 20MG

  • Capsule 40MG

  • Capsule 60MG

  • Capsule 80MG

Common Geodon prescriptions

  • Geodon
    30 capsules bottle

  • Geodon
    60 capsules bottle

  • Geodon
    20mg capsule

  • Geodon
    40mg capsule

  • Geodon
    60mg capsule

  • Geodon
    80mg capsule

  • Geodon
    20mg solution reconstituted

How to take Geodon

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • It is best to take this medicine with food at the same time every day.

  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • It is best to take this medicine with food at the same time every day.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Geodon

Geodon contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to ziprasidone.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to ziprasidone.

Geodon warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, blood or bone marrow problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, trouble swallowing, or a history of seizures or breast cancer. Tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation) or any heart or blood vessel problems, including low blood pressure, heart failure, or history of a heart attack.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Heart rhythm problemsNeuroleptic malignant syndrome (possibly life-threatening neurological disorder)Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heartSerious skin reactionsTardive dyskinesia (trouble controlling muscle movements)

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Use caution when you exercise strenuously or are outside in hot weather. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Fever, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness, seizures

  • Increased thirst, hunger, or urination

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Painful, prolonged erection of your penis

  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (especially in your face, tongue, or jaw)

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, blood or bone marrow problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, trouble swallowing, or a history of seizures or breast cancer. Tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation) or any heart or blood vessel problems, including low blood pressure, heart failure, or a history of a heart attack.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Heart rhythm problemsNeuroleptic malignant syndrome (possibly life-threatening neurological disorder)Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heartSerious skin reactionsTardive dyskinesia (trouble controlling muscle movements)

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Use caution when you exercise strenuously or are outside in hot weather. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Increased thirst, hunger, or urination

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Painful, prolonged erection of your penis

  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (especially in your face, tongue, or jaw)

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Geodon interactions

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Use caution when you exercise strenuously or are outside in hot weather. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Do not use this medicine together with amiodarone, arsenic trioxide, chlorpromazine, disopyramide, dofetilide, dolasetron mesylate, droperidol, gatifloxacin, halofantrine, levomethadyl acetate, mefloquine, mesoridazine, moxifloxacin, pentamidine, pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, sparfloxacin, tacrolimus, or thioridazine.

  • Some medicines can affect how ziprasidone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Carbamazepine, ketoconazole, levodopaBlood pressure medicineDiuretic (water pill)

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • You should not receive this medicine together with amiodarone, arsenic trioxide, chlorpromazine, disopyramide, dofetilide, dolasetron mesylate, droperidol, gatifloxacin, halofantrine, levomethadyl acetate, mefloquine, mesoridazine, moxifloxacin, pentamidine, pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, sparfloxacin, tacrolimus, or thioridazine.

  • Some medicines can affect how ziprasidone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Carbamazepine, ketoconazole, levodopaBlood pressure medicineDiuretic (water pill)

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

  • You may get overheated more easily while you are using this medicine. Use caution when you exercise strenuously or are outside in hot weather. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Geodon side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (especially in your face, tongue, or jaw)

  • Painful, prolonged erection of your penis

  • Fever, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness, seizures

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

  • Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Fever, skin rash, or swollen glands in your armpits, neck, or groin

  • Increased thirst, hunger, or urination

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

  • Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (especially in your face, tongue, or jaw)

  • Increased thirst, hunger, or urination

  • Fever, skin rash, or swollen glands in your armpits, neck, or groin

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Painful, prolonged erection of your penis

  • Fever, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness, seizures

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache, nausea

  • Pain where the shot was given

  • Sleepiness, tiredness

  • Weight gain

  • Nausea

  • Weight gain

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Sleepiness, tiredness

  • Weight gain