Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking ziprasidone as follows:
- Patients with history of mood disorders, secondary to ziprasidone intake, can experience deterioration and worsening of symptoms of mood disorders. Individuals can present with worsening complaints such as, feeling low and depressed, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Notify your physician regarding any such worsening mood changes, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised.
- Ziprasidone takes some time to fairly balance the chemicals in the brain, before any improvement in mood and behavior are noted. It could take about 3 – 6 weeks to see this change in mood. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the improvement with the psychotic symptoms immediately after taking the medication.
- Sudden discontinuation of ziprasidone intake, after prolonged use, can result in onset of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as, exacerbation of psychosis, hallucinations, anxiety, and mania. Discontinuation on ziprasidone use must be slow and gradual, using tapering doses, and only on your physician recommendation.
