Indications

Ziprasidone is an atypical antipsychotic. In choosing among treatments, prescribers should be aware of the capacity of Ziprasidone to prolong the QT interval and may consider the use of other drugs first. Ziprasidone capsules are indicated for the:

• treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

• acute treatment of adults as monotherapy of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

• maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as an adjunct to lithium or valproate in adults.

Interaction

Ziprasidone should not be used in combination with other drugs that have demonstrated QT prolongation. The absorption of ziprasidone is increased up to two-fold in the presence of food.

Contraindications

• Do not use in patients with a known history of QT prolongation

• Do not use in patients with recent acute myocardial infarction

• Do not use in patients with uncompensated heart failure

• Do not use in combination with other drugs that have demonstrated QT prolongation

• Do not use in patients with known hypersensitivity to ziprasidone

Side Effects

Commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and at least twice the incidence for placebo) were:

• Schizophrenia: Somnolence, respiratory tract infection.

• Manic and Mixed Episodes Associated with Bipolar Disorder: Somnolence, extrapyramidal symptoms, dizziness, akathisia, abnormal vision, asthenia, vomiting.

• Intramuscular administration (≥5% and at least twice the lowest intramuscular ziprasidone group): Headache, nausea, somnolence.