Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Ziprasidone as follows:
- Ziprasidone use, while exerting depressive effect on the brain and central nervous system, can also cause depression of the respiratory center in the brain. This induces slowing down of respirations, resulting in reduced gas exchange, and the breathing pattern can become irregular and interrupted, especially during sleep. Ziprasidone must be administered with extreme caution in individuals with history of breathing disorders, such as, asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea. Report to your physician regarding any new development or exacerbation of signs and symptoms of breathing disorders and resulting complications, such, as, altered levels of consciousness, sedation, severely compromised endurance and exercise tolerance, extreme fatigue, and development of seizures, to facilitate a change in your plan of care.
- Ziprasidone carries the risk of inducing/aggravating tremors and dyskinesias, such as, uncontrolled tongue movements, lip smacking, and eye blinking. Dyskinesias could be due to side-effects of various medications intake or secondary to movement disorders, such as, Parkinson’s disease. Irrespective to the cause of dyskinesias, individuals with history can be at increased risk to present with aggravation of the condition and so, ziprasidone must be avoided or carefully administered in such individuals, with periodical physician follow-up. Report any such findings to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
