Geodon
(ziprasidone)
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Our bottom line
Geodon (ziprasidone) treats bipolar disorder and schizophrenia with fewer side effects than similar medications, but has a risk of abnormal heart rhythm.
- Price before coupon$135.45
- Lowest price with coupon$14.0090% savings
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (ziprasidone)
Upsides
- Geodon (ziprasidone) effectively stabilizes mood in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Compared to other antipsychotics, this drug has a lower risk of weight gain, high blood sugars, and high cholesterol.
- Geodon (ziprasidone) capsule is available as a generic.
- Available as a daily pill for long-term treatment.
What to expect from Geodon, on one page
Downsides
- It may take several weeks before you feel the full effects of Geodon (ziprasidone).
- Might not be a good option if you have a history of heart problems.
- You will need to get blood tests before you start taking Geodon (ziprasidone) to make sure you're healthy enough to take it.
- People who are also taking diuretics will need regular blood tests while on Geodon (ziprasidone).
What to expect from Geodon, on one page
Geodon (ziprasidone) is a second generation antipsychotic. It treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder by changing the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain, which can affect thoughts and mood.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (ziprasidone)
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$11.80Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$14.00
- Get free coupon$16.86
- CostcoGet free coupon$18.85
What to expect when you take Geodon (ziprasidone) for Schizophrenia
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Sleepiness
- Respiratory infection
- Movement problems
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Geodon (ziprasidone)
- Sleepiness31%31%12%12%
- Movement problems31%31%12%12%
- Headache18%18%17%17%
- Dizziness16%16%7%7%
- Nausea10%10%7%7%
- Restlessness10%10%5%5%
- Weakness6%6%2%2%
- Abnormal vision6%6%3%3%
- Diarrhea5%5%4%4%
- Dry mouth5%5%4%4%
- Vomiting5%5%2%2%
- Anxiety5%5%4%4%
- Accidental injury4%4%1%1%
- Increased salivation4%4%
- High blood pressure3%3%2%2%
- Tongue swelling3%3%1%1%
- Sore throat3%3%1%1%
- Difficulty swallowing2%2%
- Muscle pain2%2%
- Loss of sensation2%2%1%1%
- Speech disorder2%2%
- Shortness of breath2%2%1%1%
- Itchy, red skin2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Geodon.
People taking Geodon felt side effect more
People taking Geodon felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Geodon (ziprasidone)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Elderly patients with dementia
Older patients with dementia-related psychosis have a higher risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medications. Geodon (ziprasidone) is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Geodon (ziprasidone)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Take Geodon (ziprasidone) twice a day with food.
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed ziprasidoneon 8/27/2020always take with food19WomanA few monthsBipolar disorder
- Worth itReviewed Geodonon 8/22/2017Take with food! I am nauseated a lot so I found carrying a snack helps. However, I have dropped 35lbs in 2 months. I have literally done nothing different except switching to this medicine.31WomanA few monthsBipolar I disorder (manic and mixed episodes)
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed Geodonon 10/26/2016worked perfectly for bipolar/psychosis however i was severely nauseous because i didn't take it with meals. be sure to eat enough with it and drink plenty of water (might make urine green). found it harder to get up in the morning/go to work because i was taking higher doses at night so i felt less groggy in the day. restlessness was bothersome. might go back on it because less weight gain than seroquel. probably the best injectable antipsychotic, worth cost.21WomanBipolar I disorder (manic and mixed episodes)
- Not worth itSome hassleReviewed otheron 2/20/2018Yes, it hard to find a psychotropic medication that don't make you gain weight and have inside bodily problem, like kidney and liver problems.48A month or soSchizoaffective disorder