What is Ziprasidone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 31, 2020

Ziprasidone overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Geodon, Ziprasidone HCl

Generic Names:

  • Ziprasidone Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antipsychotic

Forms:

  • Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Ziprasidone used for?

What form(s) does Ziprasidone come in

  • Capsule

What are common Ziprasidone doses?

  • Capsule 20MG

  • Capsule 40MG

  • Capsule 60MG

  • Capsule 80MG

Common Ziprasidone prescriptions

  • Ziprasidone HCl
    20mg capsule

  • Ziprasidone HCl
    40mg capsule

  • Ziprasidone HCl
    60mg capsule

  • Ziprasidone HCl
    80mg capsule

How to take Ziprasidone

  • 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.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ziprasidone

Ziprasidone contraindications

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

Ziprasidone warnings

  • 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

Ziprasidone 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.

Ziprasidone 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

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Nausea

  • Weight gain

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Sleepiness, tiredness

  • Weight gain

Subscribe to our savings newsletter

Health education, drug info, wellness & more

By clicking 'Subscribe', I agree to SingleCare's Terms & Conditions.