Geodon®
E-mail This Page Print This Page

For Family and Friends

People with schizophrenia often have their symptoms return because they stop taking their medicine as prescribed. Look for changes in your loved one's behavior that suggest he or she may be relapsing. Sometimes individuals with schizophrenia are too ill to notice it is happening. If this is the case, you might need to help by calling the doctor yourself.

You can help a person with schizophrenia lower the risk of symptoms returning. You can:

  • Stay in contact
  • Get involved with the treatment plan
  • Help with daily activities
  • Find ways to remind your loved one to take the medicine like the doctor says

What to remember

  • Hallucinations or delusions seem very real to individuals with schizophrenia. Be understanding of this
  • While it's hard to do, try not to take what your loved one says personally. At this time, your loved one is not behaving or talking as he or she normally would
  • Lessen the stress and activities at home during these times. Schedule family and social functions for another time
  • Take any threats of suicide or self-harm seriously. Call the doctor or 911 right away

Know what to do in emergencies

If you think your loved one is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call his or her doctor immediately; a doctor can help your loved one deal with these difficult feelings. If you cannot reach the doctor, call 911 or bring your loved one to the nearest emergency room.


Care for yourself, too

Caring for someone with schizophrenia can often make you feel stressed, anxious, or tense. Reducing your stress and taking care of your own needs can make you a better caregiver.

NEXT: Helping With Treatment

Schizophrenia facts
Review the basics

Important Safety Information

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). GEODON is not approved for treating these patients.

You should not take GEODON if you have certain kinds of heart conditions or take certain medicines. GEODON may increase the risk of changes to your heart rhythm. It is important to talk to your doctor about this possible side effect. And be sure to call your doctor right away if you faint, pass out, or feel a change in your heartbeat.

Serious side effects can occur with any antipsychotic medicine, including GEODON. Tell your doctor right away if you experience a high fever, stiff muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased heart rate or blood pressure. These can be signs of a rare condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Also tell your doctor if you experience abnormal or uncontrollable facial or body movements. These could be a sign of tardive dyskinesia (TD), which may become permanent.

Medicines like GEODON may raise blood sugar levels. There have been few reports of high blood sugar or diabetes in patients who take GEODON. It is not known if GEODON was the cause.

If you experience a rash, lightheadedness, or seizures while taking GEODON, tell your doctor.

The most common side effects for patients taking GEODON for bipolar mania include sleepiness, abnormal muscle movements (such as tremors, shuffling, and uncontrolled movement), dizziness, and restlessness.

The most common side effects for patients taking GEODON for schizophrenia include sleepiness, increased cough, and runny nose.

In short-term schizophrenia clinical trials, 10% of GEODON-treated patients experienced a weight gain of ≥7% of body weight vs. 4% for placebo.

Please see patient summary of information and full prescribing information.

Pfizer GZU00223A

© Copyright 2008
Pfizer Inc.
All rights reserved.
Pfizer.com		 GEODON.com Home Privacy Policy Terms of Use Glossary
Contact Us Site Map