Ziprasidone Mesylate IM

Ziprasidone Mesylate IM Warning

There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (e.g., stroke, heart failure) when this medication is used in elderly patients with dementia. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments for dementia-related behavior problems, with your doctor.

Ziprasidone Mesylate IM Side Effects

Pain, swelling and redness at the injection site may occur. Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and headache may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

• severe/persistent dizziness
• fainting
• mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts)
• feelings of restlessness
• mask-like facial expression (pseudoparkinsonism)
• shakiness (tremors)
• muscle spasm/stiffness
• numbness/tingling
• trouble swallowing
• vision problems
• difficulty walking

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• chest pain
• jaw/left arm pain
• slow/fast/irregular heartbeat
• seizures

This drug may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms or legs).

This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk may increase when this medication is used with certain other drugs such as "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, eletriptan), certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, paroxetine) and SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, or a certain drug to treat obesity (sibutramine). Before using this drug, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, unusual restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitchy muscles.

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