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Geodon
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Geodon is the brand name for ziprasidone, an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. It is an atypical (newer) antipsychotic whose structure is different than that of older antipsychotics. Geodon is somewhat similar to the antipsychotics Seroquel, Risperdal, Clozaril, and Zyprexa. Geodon helps block the action of serotonin and dopamine and moderately inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Unlike most antipsychotics, Geodon is not associated with significant weight gain.
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Geodon (ziprasidone) is an antipsychotic medication--one of a group called "atypical" to distinguish these newer drugs from older medications. The FDA approved Geodon as a treatment for schizophrenia in 2001. It helps manage schizophrenia's "positive symptoms," such as visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, and thought disturbances. Geodon may ... help in treating the "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia, which include social withdrawal, apathy, lack of motivation, and an inability to experience pleasure. Geodon is associated with little or no weight gain, a characteristic that distinguishes it from other antipsychotic drugs.
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Geodon has a greater capacity to prolong the QTc interval than several antipsychotics. In some drugs, QT prolongation has been associated with torsade de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia. In many cases this would lead to the conclusion that other drugs should be tried first.
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Geodon has the potential to ease the symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, doctors may only prescribe this medication to a select group of otherwise healthy patients. Failure to take past medical history into consideration, especially in terms of heart history, can be fatal.
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Geodon can ... cause a patient''s blood pressure to drop significantly. This is most likely to occur when a patient first commences treatment or when Geodon doses are changed. Adverse physical consequences of this Geodon side effect can include dizziness, fainting and rapid heartbeat. The risk of seizures is increased for patients who are taking Geodon, especially those over the age of 65, with a history or seizures, or who have Alzheimer''s disease. Geodon can cause serious health conditions including neuroleptic malignant syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. This medication can interfere with body temperature regulation and suppress the cough reflex.
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The common side effects of Geodon may include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, weakness, restlessness, and cough. Antipsychotic medications, including Geodon, may be linked to various harmful side effects including neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), stroke, diabetes, and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The FDA has requested that manufacturers of atypical antipsychotics, including Pfizer the manufacturer of Geodon, include a warning about the possible link to diabetes on its labeling. As a class, atypical antipsychotics have been linked to increasing the risk of diabetes in patients, as well as other problems including obesity and high cholesterol. The risk of diabetes is increased further in patients that have additional diabetes risk factors such as preexisting obesity or a family history of diabetes. These patients are advised to monitor their blood sugar levels.
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