Ziprasidone Hcl – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More

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Uses

Certain mental and emotional conditions can be helped by using this medicine (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). This medicine may also help you think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less irritated, and participate more actively in the day-to-day activities of life. It may also reduce the number of hallucinations you experience. Atypical antipsychotics are the group of medications which ziprasidone is classified under. It achieves its effects by contributing to the process of re-establishing the brain’s natural chemical proportions.

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Instructions for the use of Ziprasidone Hcl

Before beginning treatment with ziprasidone and whenever you get a refill on your prescription, make sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist if one is available. If you have any questions, you should consult with either your physician or your pharmacist.

You should take this medication as advised by your physician, which is often twice a day by mouth with meals. Take the capsules with a full glass of water. Do not chew, open, or crush the capsules in any way.

Your current health status and how well you respond to treatment will determine the appropriate dosage. It is possible that your physician will instruct you to begin treatment with this medicine at a low dose and then gradually increase that dose over the course of a few days. Be sure to pay close attention to the directions that your doctor gives you.

It is important to maintain consistent use of this drug in order to get the most out of it. Take it at the same time every day so that you don’t forget when you’re supposed to. Continue taking this medication even if you don’t feel like you need it. It is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before discontinuing the use of this medicine.

Notify your primary care physician if your issue persists or worsens.

Side Effects

There is a possibility that this medication will cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, a runny nose, and cough. Notify your doctor as soon as possible if any of these side effects continue or become worse.

The symptoms of vertigo, including dizziness and lightheadedness, can make falling more likely. When rising from a seated or lying posture, do it in a gradual and steady manner.

Keep in mind that the reason your doctor has recommended that you take this medication is that he or she believes that the potential benefits to you outweigh the potential risks of doing so. The majority of persons who take this medicine do not report experiencing any severe adverse effects.

Notify your physician as soon as possible if you experience any major adverse effects, such as trouble swallowing, muscle spasms, shaking (tremor), mental or emotional problems (such as restlessness), changes in vision, or disturbed breathing while sleeping.

It is possible that this medication will induce a slight elevation in your blood sugar, which can either bring on diabetes or make the condition worse. If you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as excessive thirst or urine, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you have diabetes already, you should have your blood sugar checked on a regular basis as instructed by your doctor and discuss the results with him or her. It’s possible that your diabetic medication, exercise routine, or diet will need some tweaking from your doctor.

Additionally, when taking this medication, you run the risk of gaining substantial weight and seeing an increase in the levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your blood. These consequences, in conjunction with diabetes, may raise your likelihood of getting cardiovascular disease. Talk to your doctor about the potential drawbacks and advantages of the treatment.

This medication has been linked to an increased risk of a disorder known as tardive dyskinesia. This condition may be permanent in some people, but not always. Notify your primary care provider immediately if you notice any movements that are abnormal or out of control (especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms, or legs).

This drug may cause your body to produce more of a certain naturally occurring hormone known as prolactin. This rise in prolactin may cause unneeded breast milk production in females, as well as trouble getting pregnant, skipping periods, or not having periods at all. It is possible for men to experience a reduction in their sexual ability, an inability to generate sperm or enlargement of the breasts as a consequence. Inform your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any very significant adverse effects, such as severe dizziness, fainting, seizures, or indicators of liver damage (such as nausea and vomiting that doesn’t stop, lack of appetite, stomach/abdominal discomfort, or yellowing eyes and skin).

This medicine carries a very low risk of causing the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, but there is a chance that it could (NMS). If you develop any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention: fever, muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness, extreme weariness, extreme disorientation, sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat, dark urine, evidence of kidney difficulties (such as a change in the amount of urine).

In extremely rare cases, males may experience a painful or protracted erection that lasts for four hours or longer. Immediately seek medical attention and discontinue the use of this medication if you experience this side effect; otherwise, the condition may become irreversible.

It is quite unusual for this medicine to cause an extremely severe allergic reaction. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any signs of severe allergic response, such as a high temperature, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching, and swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, and neck), or severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.

This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive in any way. Please consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any side effects that are not listed above.

In the United States, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit their website at www.fda.gov/medwatch to report any adverse effects.

In Canada, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse effects you experience.

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Precautions

Inform your doctor or pharmacist that you are allergic to ziprasidone, as well as if you have any additional allergies, before beginning treatment with this medication. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive substances, which, if present, could result in allergic responses or other complications. Discuss the matter further with your pharmacist for further information.

Before beginning treatment with this medication, it is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have a history of Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, a low white blood cell count, difficulty swallowing, heart disease (such as coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat), diabetes (including a family history of the condition), obesity, or breathing problems while sleeping (sleep apnea).

There is a possibility that ziprasidone will create a condition that disrupts the normal rhythm of the heart (QT prolongation). Rarely, a QT prolongation can produce a dangerous (and in extremely rare cases, fatal) fast or irregular heartbeat, in addition to other symptoms (such as severe dizziness and fainting) that require immediate medical attention.

If you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that can cause QT prolongation, your risk of developing the condition may be enhanced. Before beginning treatment with ziprasidone, it is important to inform your physician or pharmacist of all the medications you are currently taking, as well as if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, recent heart attack, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), a family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Your chance of having your QT interval becomes prolonged may also be increased if your blood potassium or magnesium levels are low. This risk may be increased if you use certain medications (such as diuretics or “water pills”) or if you have conditions like as intense sweating, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Likewise, this risk may be increased if you use certain drugs. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate use of ziprasidone.

This medication could cause you to feel lightheaded or sleepy. Drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana (also known as cannabis) can make you feel more lightheaded and sleepy. Do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle, operate any machinery, or engage in any activity that requires attentiveness until you are able to do it safely. Steer clear of beverages containing alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you are smoking marijuana (cannabis).

Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss all of the products you use with your dentist or doctor (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This prescription may cause you to sweat less, which increases the risk that you will suffer from heat stroke. Stay away from activities that could cause you to overheat, such as working hard or exercising outside while the temperature is high or utilising hot tubs. When the temperature is high, it is important to consume enough fluids and wear in lightweight clothing. In the event that you become overheated, you should immediately look for a place where you can cool off and rest. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop a fever that does not go away, changes in your mental state or mood, a headache, or dizziness.

It’s possible that elderly people are more sensitive to the negative effects of this medication, including drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, uncontrollable movements, and QT prolongation.

There is a correlation between drowsiness and an increased risk of falling, as are dizziness and lightheadedness.

During pregnancy, it is important to only use this drug when it is absolutely necessary. Babies who are born to mothers who have used this medication during the final three months of pregnancy have a very small chance of developing symptoms such as muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, difficulty feeding or breathing, or continual crying. These symptoms can occur in very rare cases. Immediately consult a medical professional if you observe any of these signs in your infant, particularly within the first month of their life.

Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you to or unless you already have a history of serious mental or mood issues that have not been addressed (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression). If you are trying to conceive, become pregnant, or have any reason to believe that you may be pregnant, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible about the advantages and dangers of using this drug while you are pregnant.

It is not known whether this medication is found in breast milk. While using this medication, it is not advised that a woman breastfeed her child because of the potential dangers to the child. Before starting to breastfeed, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

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Interactions

Drug interactions can alter the way in which your prescriptions work or raise the likelihood that you will have major adverse effects. This document does not contain all possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all the goods you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies, and give it to both your primary care physician and your pharmacist. Without first consulting your physician, you should never alter the dosage of any medication, stop taking any medication, or start taking any new medication.

Dolasetron, metoclopramide, and saquinavir are a few examples of products that could potentially interact with this medication.

In addition to ziprasidone, numerous other medications, such as amiodarone, dofetilide, moxifloxacin, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, tacrolimus, and thioridazine, are also capable of prolonging the QT interval and so affecting the cardiac rhythm.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other products that cause drowsiness, including opioid pain relievers or cough relievers (such as codeine or hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, or zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol or cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

You should read the labels on all of your medications (such as those meant to treat allergies or coughs and colds) since some of them may contain substances that make you feel sleepy. Talk to your local pharmacist about the proper way to use those products.

Overdose

Dial 911 if you suspect that someone has overdosed and they are exhibiting serious symptoms such as passing out or having problems breathing. In any other case, you should immediately contact a poison control centre. To reach the poison control centre for your area in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control centre. Some of the signs and symptoms of an overdose include extreme sleepiness as well as irregular or uncontrolled movement.

Warnings

This drug should not be given to anyone else.

Tests in the laboratory and/or examinations by a doctor (such as blood mineral levels, blood sugar, and EKG) should be carried out on a regular basis in order to track your improvement and identify any potential adverse reactions. Consult your doctor for additional details.

Neglected Dose

If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you realise you forgot. If it is getting close to the time of the next dose, you should forgo the dose that you missed. Your next dose should be taken at the typical time. It is not necessary to double the dose in order to catch up.

Storage

Keep at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Store at room temperature. Keep away from the bathroom at all costs. Always make sure that children and animals are kept well away from any medications.

Unless you have been specifically told to do so, you should not flush drugs down the toilet or pour them down a drain. When it is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, dispose of this product in the appropriate manner. Talk to your neighbourhood pharmacy or the firm that handles garbage disposal in your area.