Ziprasidone (marketed as Geodon®, Zeldox®) was the fifth atypical antipsychotic to gain FDA approval. Ziprasidone is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, and the intramuscular injection form of ziprasidone is approved for acute agitation in schizophrenic patients. Ziprasidone has also received approval for acute treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder. The brand name Geodon® has been suggested to bring to mind the phrase 'down (don) to earth (geo)' referring to the goals of the medication.
Pharmacology
Ziprasidone has a high
affinity for
dopamine,
serotonin, and
alpha-adrenergic receptors and a medium affinity for
histaminic receptors. Ziprasidone is somewhat unique among the "atypicals" in that it also displays some inhibition of synaptic reuptake of
serotonin and
norepinephrine, although the clinical significance of this is unknown. The mechanism of action of ziprasidone is unknown. However it is theorized that its antipsychotic activity is mediated primarily by
antagonism at dopamine receptors, specifically D2. Serotonin antagonism may also play a role in the effectiveness of ziprasidone, but the significance of
5-HT2A antagonism is debated among researchers. Antagonism at histaminic and alpha adrenergic receptors likely explains some of the side effects of ziprasidone, such as
sedation and
orthostasis.
Pharmacokinetics
The systemic
bioavailability of ziprasidone administered intramuscularly is 100%, or 60%, administered orally with food. After a single dose intramuscular administration, the peak serum concentration typically occurs at about 60 minutes after the dose is administered, or earlier. Steady state plasma concentrations are achieved within one to three days. The mean half-life (T 1/2) ranges from two to five hours. Exposure increases in a dose-related manner and following three days of intramuscular dosing, little accumulation is observed.
More on
[ Ziprasidone ]
Antipsychotics :: Drugs and Medications
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Focus on Ziprasidone - Article about this antipsychotic drug, covering pharmacology, dosage, and other topics, by Dr. Ben Green, Consultant Psychiatrist and Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Liverpool, UK. Includes reference list.
Geodon - Consumer information, including dosage, side effects and interactions.
Meta Description: [ Provides accurate, up-to-date information on Geodon including usage, dosage, side effects and interactions. All written for the consumer by healthcare profressionals. ]
Geodon (Ziprasidone) - Fact sheet provided by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Geodon (Ziprasidone) - Profile of the medication, which was approved in the U.S. in 2001 for treatment of both 'positive' and 'negative' symptoms of schizophrenia, and is also used for psychotic features of bipolar disorder.
Meta Description: [ A quick profile of the medication Geodon (generic: Ziprasidone) which was approved in 2001 for treatment of both 'positive' and 'negative' symptoms of schizophrenia. Geodon is also used for psychotic features of bipolar disorder. ]
Geodon (Ziprasidone) - Information from DrugDigest on dosage, usage, side effects, and interactions. Compares side effects with those of related drugs.
Geodon Consumer Information - FDA - Patient FAQ in html format with a link to approved labeling in pdf format.
Pfizer: Geodon (Ziprasidone HCl) - Prescribing information from the manufacturer. [PDF]
Public Citizen's eLetter: FDA's Safety Review of Ziprasidone (Zeldox) - Information about cardiac side effects of this medication.