What to Expect With GEODON — GEODON® Official Site

It may take a few weeks to work
In clinical trials, GEODON led to symptom improvement in patients with an acute manic or mixed episode of bipolar disorder and in patients with schizophrenia. But you won’t see a change overnight. So it’s important to be patient.

Your doctor may adjust your dose
Be sure to share your progress with your doctor. GEODON can be taken at different doses. Your doctor may start you at a lower dose and adjust your dose based on how you respond.

Also, tell your doctor about any other changes (health, medicines, personal) that could affect your treatment.

GEODON comes in 4 strengths


Color	Blue/White	Blue/Blue	White/White	Blue/White
Imprint	Pfizer 396	Pfizer 397	Pfizer 398	Pfizer 399

GEODON doses are different in color pattern and size, and each capsule has “Pfizer” and its own number printed in black.

You may find it hard to stick with your treatment
Sometimes, when patients with mood disorders see their symptoms improve, they’re tempted to stop taking their medicine. But you should keep taking GEODON as your doctor prescribes even when you start to feel better. This is because your symptoms are more likely to return if you stop taking GEODON. Remember, you should never stop taking your prescribed medicine without first discussing it with your doctor.

“It’s common for patients to feel better on medicine and think, ‘I don’t need it anymore.’ But there’s no cure. So I explain if they’re feeling better, it’s likely because of the medicine. And that the decision to stop medicine should be made with a doctor.”

—Dr. Suarez

Another common reason people stop taking their medicine is side effects. See a list of the most common side effects of GEODON. Tell your doctor if side effects are causing you difficulties or discomfort. Don’t stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first.

Your treatment program may include more than GEODON
The treatment program you and your doctor decide on may include other medicines in addition to GEODON. And your doctor may recommend that you consider “talk” therapy. Learn about several kinds of talk therapy which may help you manage your symptoms of bipolar disorder or of schizophrenia.

*	Dr. Suarez is a practicing psychiatrist. He did not treat the patients depicted on this Web site. Dr. Suarez received compensation from Pfizer, the makers of GEODON, for his contributions to this site.

Next: Achieving success with GEODON

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GEODON for acute bipolar mania

GEODON for schizophrenia

Achieving success with GEODON

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GEODON^® (ziprasidone HCl) Capsules Indication Statement

GEODON is indicated for schizophrenia and acute bipolar manic or mixed episodes, with or without psychotic features. For full symptoms and diagnostic criteria, see the DSM-IV-TR^® (2000).

GEODON 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.

Common side effects of GEODON include the following and should also be discussed with your doctor if they occur:

Feeling unusually tired or sleepy
Nausea or upset stomach
Constipation
Dizziness
Restlessness

Abnormal muscle movements, including tremor, shuffling, and uncontrolled involuntary movements
Diarrhea
Rash
Increased cough/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 GEODON full prescribing information including patient summary.

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