Ziprasidone is used for:

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.

Ziprasidone is an antipsychotic. It may work by altering the balance of certain chemicals that occur naturally in the brain, which are responsible for thinking and behavior.

Do NOT use Ziprasidone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ziprasidone
• you have certain heart diseases, including long QT syndrome, a recent heart attack, severe heart failure, or certain irregularities of heart rhythm
• you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, H₁ antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), halofantrine, macrolide immunosuppressives (eg, tacrolimus), mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, ondansetron), sotalol, or sparfloxacin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Ziprasidone :

Some medical conditions may interact with Ziprasidone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have considered or attempted suicide
• if you have heart disease, a slow heartbeat, low blood potassium or magnesium levels, low blood volume, a drug-induced movement disorder, diabetes, kidney or liver problems, a history of stroke, a history of low blood pressure, seizures, difficulty swallowing, Alzheimer disease, or breast cancer, or if you are overweight

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ziprasidone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Carbamazepine because the effectiveness of Ziprasidone may be decreased
• Arsenic, cisapride, class III antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, sotalol), dofetilide , droperidol, H₁ antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), halofantrine, IA and IC antiarrhythmics (eg, procainamide, quinidine, flecainide, propafenone), macrolide immunosuppressives (eg, tacrolimus), macrolides and ketolides (eg, erythromycin, azithromycin), mefloquine, methadone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, probucol, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, ondansetron), sparfloxacin , or streptogramins (eg, mitomycin, pristinamycin) because the risk of side effects of these medicines, such as abnormal heart rhythms, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ziprasidone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Ziprasidone :

Use Ziprasidone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Ziprasidone is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
• If you are using Ziprasidone at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider. If the medicine contains particles, is discolored, or if the vial/container is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Ziprasidone , use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ziprasidone.

Important safety information:

• Ziprasidone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Ziprasidone. Using Ziprasidone alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Ziprasidone. Ziprasidone will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Ziprasidone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities; heatstroke may occur.
• Ziprasidone is intended for short-term control of acute agitation symptoms. If you require continuous treatment for your condition, your doctor may switch you to an oral medicine.
• Ziprasidone may increase your risk for developing diabetes or increase blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause serious problems if left untreated.
• Diabetes patients - Ziprasidone may alter your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• LAB TESTS, such as electrolyte levels or fasting blood sugar levels, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Ziprasidone with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and lightheadedness upon sitting or standing up.
• Ziprasidone is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ziprasidone during pregnancy. It is unknown if Ziprasidone is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ziprasidone..

Possible side effects of Ziprasidone :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling unusually tired or sleepy; headache; increased cough or runny nose; loss of appetite; nausea; pain at the injection site; upset stomach.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); altered mental abilities, including lack of response to your surroundings; change in amount of urine; change in vision; difficulty swallowing; fainting or loss of consciousness; fever; high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, confusion, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor); inability to move; increased body heat; increased heart rate; irregular heart rhythm; muscle rigidity; muscle spasms or twitching; pounding in the chest; prolonged or painful erection; seizures; sweating; uncontrolled movements (especially of face or tongue).

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.