Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking ziprasidone as follows:
- Ziprasidone carries the risk of aggravating blood sugars and can result in poor blood sugar control in diabetics. Maintain a log of everyday blood sugar readings, to allow for an easy follow-up on the pattern of blood sugars lately. Closely follow for any signs of poor blood sugar control, such as, dry mouth, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, dry skin, and blurred vision. Report these findings to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
- 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, secondary to ziprasidone intake. Report any exacerbation of such findings to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
- Taking the medication at regularly spaced intervals help maintain appropriate blood levels of ziprasidone needed to derive the beneficial effects.
