Ziprasidone : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Ziprasidone is a second-generation atypical antipsychotic drug, used in treating acute agitation in patients with schizophrenia who require an injectable medicine. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Dose : 40-160 mg
Route : Oral, IM
Plasma Half-life : arond 8 hours
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : 60% (oral), 100% (IM)
Chemical formula : C21H21ClN4OS
IUPAC name : 5-{2-[4-(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl}-6-chloro-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one
Trade name : Geodon, Azona, Zipsydon, Zeldox, Zipwell
Therapeutic uses : Ziprasidone has following usage :
- Primarily indicated as anti-psychotic drug for treating psychoses particularly Schizophrenia (generally first-line therapy). It may be effective (not approved) in many patients who are resistant to the first generation agents, especially in treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. It is indicated when schizophrenic patient is Withdrawn and apathetic
- Indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder, mania.
- Can be used as tranquilizers to manage agitated and disruptive behavior secondary to other disorders.
- May relieve anxiety.
- May be used for Organic brain syndromes on a short-term basis.
- Rare indications includes Alcoholic hallucinosis, Huntington’s disease and Gilles de Ia Tourette’s syndrome.
Side effects : Adverse effects of the Ziprasidone can occur in practically all patients and are significant in about 80% ; Ziprasidone may produce following side effects:
- CNS ailments like Sedation, drowsiness, lethargy, mental confusion, increased appetite, weight gain, aggravation of seizures
- CVS effects including Postural (orthostatic) hypotension, palpitation, prolongation of Q-T interval, cardiac arrhythmia, inhibition of ejaculation
- Anticholinergic effects such as Dry mouth, blurring of vision, constipation, urinary incontinence
- Nausea, vomiting,
- Risk of worsening of diabetes,
- Rarely Hyperprolactinemia – amenorrhoea, infertility, galactorrhoea and gynaecomastia
- Rarely Extrapyramidal disturbances (extrapyramidal symptoms EPS) such as Parkinsonism, Acute muscular dystonias, Akathisia, Malignant neuroleptic syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia.
Warnings :
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis.
Contraindications :
- It should be used cautiously in patients with seizure disorders (since it may lower the seizure threshold)or those with an increased risk for seizures, such as withdrawal from alcohol.
- Contraindicated in patients with history of cardiac arrhythmias.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
