(ziprasidone hydrochloride) capsules
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Ziprasidone GH.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Ziprasidone GH against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Ziprasidone GH is used for
What Ziprasidone GH is for
Ziprasidone GH is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Your doctor may have prescribed Ziprasidone GH for another reason.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about Ziprasidone GH or why Ziprasidone GH has been prescribed for you.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental illness. It varies from person to person, but can involve:
- hallucinations: the person sees, hears, feels, smells or tastes something that is not actually there; most commonly a person may hear voices;
- delusions: a delusion is a false belief held by a person which is not held by others of the same cultural background;
- disturbed or disorganised thinking;
- poor memory and concentration;
- loss of emotion and expression;
- loss of motivation and energy;
- difficulty interacting with others, leading to social isolation.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness where a person cycles through:
- ‘manic’ phases – with symptoms such as over-activity, irritability/elation and limited need for sleep;
- ‘depressive’ phases – with symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, difficulty making decisions, concentrating and hopelessness.
How Ziprasidone GH works
Ziprasidone GH belongs to a group of medicines called atypical antipsychotics/ neuroleptics. It contains the ingredient ziprasidone.
Schizophrenia
Researchers do not know exactly what causes schizophrenia, but they do know that many people with it have high levels of some brain chemicals – including dopamine and serotonin.
Ziprasidone GH is thought to work by helping to correct the imbalance of these chemicals, in turn, reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Research has found Ziprasidone GH can help reduce:
- hallucinations;
- delusions;
- confused thoughts;
- social withdrawal;
- lack of motivation.
Ziprasidone GH does not cure schizophrenia, but it can help manage the symptoms and help prevent further episodes.
Taking antipsychotic/neuroleptic medicines like Ziprasidone GH can also allow you to try psychological therapies when recommended by your doctor. These may further help you manage your schizophrenia.
Bipolar Disorder
Research has shown that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain in patients with bipolar disorder.
Ziprasidone GH does not cure bipolar disorder. It is used as a short-term treatment for the manic phases. Ziprasidone GH is not used to treat the depressive phases of bipolar disorder.
Controlling the manic phase of bipolar disorder with medicine can also allow you to try psychological therapies when recommended by your doctor.
Taking Ziprasidone GH
Ziprasidone GH is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Ziprasidone GH is not recommended for the treatment of elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Ziprasidone GH should be used with caution in elderly patients with risk factors for stroke.
Ziprasidone GH is also not recommended for children under 18 years of age as there is not enough information on the effects of Ziprasidone GH in this group.
Before you take Ziprasidone GH
When you must not take it
Do not take Ziprasidone GH if you have an allergy to:
- ziprasidone;
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Ziprasidone GH may include:
- hives, itching or skin rash;
- shortness of breath, wheezing;
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Do not take Ziprasidone GH if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- a recent heart attack;
- heart failure that is not well-controlled;
- abnormal rhythm of the heart;
- any other condition requiring drugs to control your heart rhythm.
Do not take Ziprasidone GH after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
If you have some medical conditions, you may not be able to take Ziprasidone GH, or your doctor may need to adjust your medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies to:
- any other medicines;
- any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- irregular heart rate;
- a condition requiring other drugs to control the heart rhythm;
- any heart or blood vessel problems;
- low blood levels of potassium or magnesium;
- a condition that may give you low blood pressure;
- a history of seizures (fits);
- liver problems;
- blood sugar level problems, eg. diabetes;
- headache;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- blurred vision;
- muscle weakness;
- if you are 65 years of age or over and have a condition known as ‘dementia-related psychosis’;
- if you have ever suffered or suffer from a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is the formation of blood clots in one of the deep veins within the body, eg. the leg or pelvis. The symptoms of DVT are pain and swelling in your legs. Sometimes the blood clot may break away from its original location and travel to the lungs. This condition is called pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms of PE may include sharp chest pain, shortness of breath or you may cough up blood.
- breathing stops and starts while sleeping.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had any of the following reactions to this type of medicine:
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) – symptoms include sudden fever, fast breathing, blood pressure changes, sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness and drowsiness or sleepiness;
- Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) – unusual movements (mainly of the face and tongue), or uncontrollable twitching or jerking of the arms and legs.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like most atypical antipsychotic/ neuroleptic medicines, Ziprasidone GH is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
For women of child-bearing age an appropriate method of contraception is recommended.
If you become or plan to become pregnant while taking Ziprasidone GH your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of taking it.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Ziprasidone GH is not recommended while you are breastfeeding. It is thought that low levels of Ziprasidone GH passes into breast-milk.
Taking other medicines
Some medicines may be affected by Ziprasidone GH or may affect how well it works. Your doctor may need to give you different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including:
- all prescription medicines;
- all medicines you buy over the counter from a pharmacy or supermarket;
- all complementary and alternative therapies;
- any supplements or herbal remedies you buy from a health food shop;
- a type of herbal medicine to treat depression called St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum);
- any illicit drugs.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines for any of the following conditions:
- Parkinson’s disease;
- fast or irregular heart rhythms;
- insomnia (unable to fall asleep or stay asleep);
- anxiety;
- depression or mood swings;
- pain – especially any narcotic pain killers;
- epilepsy or mood disorders – especially carbamazepine;
- fungal infections – especially ketoconazole;
- rifampicin an antibiotic used for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking Ziprasidone GH.
How to take Ziprasidone GH
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. These may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
How much Ziprasidone GH you need to take will depend upon your condition.
Schizophrenia
The usual starting dose is one 40 mg capsule taken twice daily with food.
Your doctor may increase your dose up to a maximum of one 80 mg capsule twice daily with food.
Allow at least 48 hours between changes to your dose unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
You may reach the maximum dose of one 80 mg capsule twice daily with food on the third day from the start of your treatment.
Bipolar Disorder
The usual starting dose is one 40 mg capsule twice daily with food.
Your doctor may adjust your dose up to a maximum of one 80 mg capsule twice daily with food. This dose may be reached on the second day from the start of your treatment.
How to take it
Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
When to take it
Take your capsule(s) with food, so in the morning with breakfast and in the evening with your evening meal. You need to take Ziprasidone GH with food because it helps your body absorb the medicine much better. If you do not take with food, the medicine may have less effect.
How long to take it
Keep taking Ziprasidone GH for as long as your doctor recommends, even if you feel better.
If you keep taking Ziprasidone GH as recommended, there is less chance of your symptoms returning.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not double a dose to make up for the dose you have missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you have trouble remembering to take your capsules, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you take too much Ziprasidone GH, you may feel slightly drowsy and show signs of tremor and uncontrollable movements of the tongue, jaw, arms and legs.
Immediately telephone your doctor or contact the Poisons Information Centre for advice by calling 13 11 26 if you are in Australia or 0800 764 766 (0800 POISON) if you are in New Zealand, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Ziprasidone GH.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you become pregnant while taking Ziprasidone GH.
If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Ziprasidone GH.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacist who are treating you that you are taking Ziprasidone GH.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your doctor can check your progress. Your doctor will check your progress and may want to take some blood tests from time to time. This helps to prevent unwanted side effects.
Talk to your doctor or mental health professional if you have thoughts or talk about death, suicide or self-harm. These may be signs of changes or worsening in your mental illness.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking Ziprasidone GH or change the dosage, even if you feel better, without checking with your doctor.
Do not use Ziprasidone GH to treat any other complaint unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give Ziprasidone GH to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
If you feel drowsy or sleepy while taking Ziprasidone GH, do not drive or operate machinery, or do things that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Medicines like Ziprasidone GH may cause drowsiness and sleepiness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Ziprasidone GH before you drive a car, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Ziprasidone GH may also cause falls resulting in fractures or other injuries in some people.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Ziprasidone GH. Combining Ziprasidone GH and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol while you are being treated with Ziprasidone GH.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Ziprasidone GH.
This medicine has been prescribed to help you, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed below may also occur in some people.
Tell your doctor if
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following physical problems and they worry you.
These are common side effects of Ziprasidone GH:
- headache;
- feeling sick (nausea);
- vomiting;
- sleepiness;
- difficulty sleeping;
- dizziness on standing up, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position;
- dry mouth;
- too much saliva;
- indigestion;
- constipation;
- diarrhoea;
- restlessness;
- muscle stiffness;
- blurred vision;
- palpitations;
- weakness or loss of strength;
- male sexual dysfunction.
In schizophrenia studies of 4-6 weeks duration, the incidence of weight gain in people taking Ziprasidone GH was low and comparable to those who took a placebo or inactive medicine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following mental or emotional problems and they worry you:
- drowsiness or sleepiness;
- trouble sleeping;
- restlessness or difficulty sitting still;
- dizziness, blackouts or feeling faint;
- anxiety or agitation;
- loss of control of your bladder;
- unusual secretion of breastmilk.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a persistent painful erection of the penis without sexual arousal.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if
The following list includes serious side effects which may require medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice:
- any worm-like movements of the tongue;
- any other uncontrolled movements of the tongue, mouth, cheeks or jaw;
- any uncontrolled movements spreading to the arms and legs;
- sleepwalking;
- eating during sleepwalking;
- breathing stops and starts while sleeping. Symptoms can be loud or frequent snoring, silent pauses in breathing, choking or gasping sounds.
These are symptoms of a condition called Tardive Dyskinesia. Tardive Dyskinesia is more likely in people who have been taking Ziprasidone GH or other antipsychotics/ neuroleptics medications for a long time. If detected early, it is usually reversible. Your doctor will decide whether to lower your dose or stop the medicine completely.
Go to hospital if
The following list contains very serious side effects. These symptoms can also sometimes happen after you stop taking Ziprasidone GH. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- convulsions, fit or seizures;
- trembling and shaking of the hands and fingers;
- shuffling walk and stiffness of the arms and legs;
- sudden uncontrollable muscle spasms in the eyes, head, neck and body;
- sudden signs of allergy – including skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips or tongue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- pain and swelling in the large veins of your legs or hip;
- sharp chest pain, shortness of breath or and coughing up blood.
Stop taking Ziprasidone GH and contact your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency if you get all of the following at once:
- high fever;
- fast breathing;
- stiff muscles;
- confusion, drowsiness or sleepiness.
These are symptoms of a condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS).
After taking Ziprasidone GH
Storage
Keep this medicine where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep Ziprasidone GH in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep the capsules in their pack until it is time to take them.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Ziprasidone GH, or the capsules have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.
Product description
What Ziprasidone GH looks like
Ziprasidone GH 20 mg – Size 4 capsule, white body, blue cap, with ‘Z20’ printed on capsule body.
Ziprasidone GH 40 mg – Size 4 capsule, blue body, blue cap.
Ziprasidone GH 60 mg – Size 3 capsules, white body, white cap.
Ziprasidone GH 80 mg – Size 2 capsules, white body, blue cap.
All strengths come in blister packs of 60 capsules.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients
Ziprasidone GH capsules contain the active ingredient ziprasidone. Each capsule contains either 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg or 80 mg of ziprasidone.
Other Ingredients
Ziprasidone GH contains the following inactive ingredients:
- pregelatinised maize starch;
- croscarmellose sodium;
- colloidal anhydrous silica;
- magnesium stearate;
- gelatin;
- titanium dioxide;
- indigo carmine (20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg capsules only);
- Capsugel Ink 10A1 Black (PI 109522; 20mg only).
Australian Registration Numbers
Ziprasidone GH 20 mg – AUST R 221071.
Ziprasidone GH 40 mg – AUST R 221096.
Ziprasidone GH 60 mg – AUST R 221079.
Ziprasidone GH 80 mg – AUST R 221089.
Sponsor
Generic Health Pty Ltd
Suite 2, Level 2
19-23 Prospect Street
Box Hill VIC 3128.
Email: ghinfo@generichealth.com.au
Telephone: +61 3 9809 7900
Website: www.generichealth.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in September 2019.
Published by MIMS October 2019