Geodon (Ziprasidone): Uses, How to Take, Side Effects, & More

Is Geodon Available as a Generic Medication?

Yes, Geodon is available as a generic known as ziprasidone. Ziprasidone is the active ingredient in Geodon. A generic drug is a medication with the exact same active ingredient as the brand-name drug, is taken the same way, and offers the same effect.

Is Geodon Similar to Seroquel?

Yes, Geodon is similar to Seroquel, but it is not the same. They are both in the antipsychotic medication class and are used to treat schizophrenia and acute bipolar episodes. They both work by balancing dopamine and serotonin levels and help stabilize a patient’s mood and behaviors. There are some crucial differences: Seroquel can be used in children 10 years and older, and Geodon is only indicated for adults 18 years and older. Geodon can be administered orally and through injection, while Seroquel is only available in tablet form.^{3, 4}

Is Geodon Similar to Haldol?

Haldol is in the same medication class as Geodon, but Haldol is only used to treat patients with schizophrenia, especially patients with uncontrolled hallucinations. Geodon targets both dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, and Haldol is believed to work by binding only to dopamine receptors in the brain. This process helps decrease dopamine activation, which further resolves symptoms of hallucinations in patients. ⁵

How Does Geodon Work?

Schizophrenia patients suffer from a chemical imbalance in their brains. These chemicals affect how we think, feel, and behave. Dopamine and serotonin are two of these chemicals. Dopamine is responsible for helping us feel motivated, concentrated, and energetic. Serotonin makes us feel happy and calm. In healthy people, the body naturally regulates and balances the level of these chemicals, but in schizophrenia patients, it is way more challenging for their bodies to control these levels.⁶

What Is Geodon Used to Treat?

Geodon was FDA-approved in 2001 for three indications: treatment of schizophrenia, acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes for people with bipolar disorder, and treatment of acute agitations in schizophrenic patients. A medication approved by the FDA means that medication has been carefully reviewed and has been determined to be safe and effective to treat a particular condition.

Off-label use of a medication is a use that is not FDA-approved. Prescribers can decide to use a medication off-label if they believe it may offer a benefit to someone. Geodon can be used off-label in treating acute hypomania, treatment for adult bipolar patients, hyperactive disorder, and delirium.²

Common Side Effects of Geodon

Like all other medications, Geodon has a list of common side effects many users experience. The most common side effect is somnolence (drowsiness or a strong desire to fall asleep). Many patients experience somnolence when they start Geodon treatment. Patients can also experience tremors or uncontrolled movements while they are on Geodon. Patients should stop using the medication and seek medical help if their tremor interrupts their daily activities or worsen.¹

Common side effects of Geodon include:¹

• Drowsiness
• Airway infection
• Muscle spasms, tremors, or uncontrolled movements
• Dizziness, abnormal vision
• Weakness or lack of energy
• Headache, vomiting, and nausea (more common with injection)

*All medications, including Geodon, can cause side effects which can be mild or serious. This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. You should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any questions you have and to understand the potential side effects and benefits of any medication.

Serious Side Effects of Geodon

Some patients may experience serious side effects of Geodon. These are rare but still occur in some patients. Geodon can cause high fever and severe cutaneous adverse reactions such as a severe and painful rash called Steven-Johnson Syndrome. Patients should stop Geodon and seek medical help immediately if there is suspicion of severe adverse reactions.¹

Serious side effects of Geodon include:¹

• Severe painful and blistering skin reactions
• Tardive dyskinesia (repetitive muscle movements in the face, neck, arms and legs)
• Extremely low blood sugar
• Low blood pressure
• White blood cell changes
• Cognitive and motor impairment
• Seizures

*All medications, including Geodon, can cause side effects which can be mild or serious. This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. You should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any questions you have and to understand the potential side effects and benefits of any medication.

Geodon Warnings & Precautions

Geodon has a boxed warning on the increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia related-psychosis. Geodon also increases the risk of falls and the incidence of brain-related adverse reactions (e.g., stroke) in older patients with Geodon. Geodon is also associated with adverse heart events, and patients taking blood pressure medications should discuss this with their doctors before starting Geodon.¹

Avoid taking Geodon if you:¹

• Are diagnosed with certain heart conditions: Geodon can increase the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm that can be fatal for those with bradycardia (slow heart rate), heart failure, or a recent heart attack
• Have allergic reactions: Stop using Geodon immediately if you are allergic to any ingredients. Allergic signs and symptoms can be rash, fever, or itchiness
• Are an older patient with dementia-related psychosis: These patients have a higher risk of death when taking atypical antipsychotics such as Geodon.
• Have diabetes: Diabetic patients taking Geodon are at higher risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Have a history of low white blood count: Patients taking Geodon with a history of low white blood cell count (WBC) should have their labs monitored frequently.

Geodon Dosages for FDA-Approved Treatment

Geodon is available in capsules and injection dosage forms. For capsules, Geodon comes in different strengths ranging from 20-80mg. For injection, Geodon comes as 20mg/ml single-use vials. Injections are used in acute treatment for schizophrenic agitations. The typical oral dose of Geodon can range from 40 mg to 160 mg daily, with the dose divided into two daily doses. Injected Geodon is administered to patients (into the muscle) by a healthcare provider. The maximum recommended dose for injected Geodon is 40 mg per day, split across multiple doses every 2 to 4 hours.¹

Geodon Forms & Strengths

The starting dose of Geodon for schizophrenia patients is typically 20 mg twice daily for a total of 40 mg daily. The starting dose for bipolar disorder patients is 40 mg twice daily for a total of 80 mg daily. Doctors can also increase or decrease Geodon dosing based on several factors. These factors include but are not limited to age, severity of symptoms and side effects, and how long a patient has been taking Geodon. For the Geodon oral capsule, it may take 2 to 6 weeks for patients to see the benefits. For injections, it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour for patients to notice the effect of Geodon.¹

Geodon is available in the following forms and strengths:¹

• 20 milligrams (mg) oral capsule
• 40 milligrams (mg) oral capsule
• 60 milligrams (mg) oral capsule
• 80 milligrams (mg) oral capsule
• 20 milligrams/milliliter single-use vial for injection

What’s the Most Effective Dose of Geodon?

Geodon is dosed differently in each patient. The typical Geodon dose ranges from 40 mg to 160 mg daily, divided into two doses. The most effective dose of Geodon is the smallest dose that provides effectiveness for the patient with the least side effects.¹

How Should I Take Geodon?

It is very important to take Geodon as directed by your prescriber. Geodon should be taken every day with food around the same time. Geodon capsules should not be split, crushed, or chewed. Swallow the capsule whole.³

What Happens If I Miss a Dose of Geodon?

If you miss a dose of Geodon, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is close to the time you usually take it, skip the missed dose and take it as regularly scheduled. Do not double your dose of Geodon if you missed the previous dose, as this may cause serious side effects.⁷

Can You Overdose on Geodon?

Yes, you can overdose on Geodon. Geodon overdose signs and symptoms can include excessive sleepiness and weakness, uncontrolled blood pressure, shaking, tremors, or anxiety. If you suspect a Geodon overdose, please seek help immediately.⁸

What Should You Do If You Take Too Much Geodon?

When a person is suspected of taking too much Geodon, they may or may not show signs or symptoms of Geodon overdose. If suspected of Geodon overdose, seek medical help immediately by dialing 911. Patients can also call their local poison control center or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. The poison control center is a free service.

What to Avoid When Taking Geodon

Geodon is associated with negative heart effects, so patients should avoid other medications that may do the same. Consult with your doctor and pharmacist before starting Geodon.¹

Examples of medications and substances you should avoid while taking Geodon include:¹

• Other medications that have adverse heart effects (e.g. sotalol, amiodarone)
• Alcohol (increases tiredness and drowsiness)

This is not a comprehensive list of potential interactions. You should talk with your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbs, or supplements you are taking before starting Geodon.

How to Get a Prescription for Geodon

Geodon is prescription only. A patient will need to get diagnosed by an authorized prescriber, such as a doctor or psychiatrist, using exams and evaluations related to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Diagnosed patients on other medications for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can also discuss with doctors if they think Geodon may provide additional benefit.

How Much Does Geodon Cost?

Geodon is the brand name version of the generic medication ziprasidone. The price of Geodon can vary depending on each person’s insurance coverage. The pharmacy itself may have some coupons you can take advantage of if you do not have insurance. GoodRx is another website you can try for prescription medication discounts. GoodRx doesn’t have a coupon for Geodon (since most people use the generic version now). GoodRx prices the generic ziprasidone between $20 and $60 monthly supply of various strengths.⁹

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Geodon

Before starting Geodon, patients should ask and confirm with their providers if this medication will improve their symptoms, what to expect once they start Geodon, and common side effects. If you have any concerns about starting Geodon, please bring these concerns to your doctor and pharmacist.

Questions to ask your care team about Geodon include:

• How long until I can start seeing the benefits of Geodon?
• What should I expect once I start Geodon and after I’ve been on it for some time?
• What are the common side effects of Geodon?
• When should I stop using Geodon?
• When do I need to talk to my doctors or pharmacists about Geodon?
• What happens if Geodon doesn’t work for me?
• Does my insurance cover the Geodon brand name medication or its generic?
• What other products or medications should I avoid using while taking Geodon?