Drug Class: Atypical Antipsychotics

Table of Contents

Overview

Geodon is a medication prescribed to treat schizophrenia and short-term treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorder. It may help reduce hallucinations, help you to think positively about yourself, feel less agitated, and have a more active role in everyday life.

It works by opposing the action of serotonin and dopamine, two of the brain’s major chemical messengers. This medicine might take a few weeks to take effect in order for you to experience the full benefits.

This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.

How to Take It

Geodon capsules should be taken once or twice a day with food.

Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include:

  • lightheadedness
  • cold symptoms
  • diarrhea
  • weakness
  • dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • stuffy and runny nose
  • cough
  • indigestion
  • involuntary muscle contractions or muscle tightness
  • upper respiratory infection

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • stiffness of the limbs
  • difficulty speaking
  • feeling faint/fainting
  • swelling of the tongue
  • need to keep moving
  • slow or fast heartbeat
  • fever
  • seizures
  • shuffling walk
  • twisting movements of the body
  • pounding in the ears

Warnings & Precautions

  • This medication can impair your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. Use caution while driving and don’t operate potentially dangerous machinery until you know how this Geodon affects you.
  • Contact your doctor immediately if you notice your movements are slow, rhythmical and involuntary, a condition called tardive dyskinesia.
  • Geodon can cause low blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you experience a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting. Use Geodon with caution if you are prone to low blood pressure, become dehydrated, or have heart disease or poor circulation in the brain.
  • STOP USING THIS MEDICINE RIGHT AWAY if you have swollen glands or a fever with a new or worsening skin rash. In rare cases, Geodon may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal if it spreads to other parts of the body.
  • Other antipsychotic medications have been known to interfere with the body’s temperature-regulating mechanism, causing the body to overheat. Avoid exposure to extreme heat, strenuous exercise, and dehydration.
  • Tell your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms: severe confusion, fever, dark urine, muscle stiffness/weakness/pain, severe tiredness, sweating, irregular heartbeat, or change urine output.
  • In rare cases, this drug may elevate blood sugar, which can cause or worsen diabetes.
  • For an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Drug Interactions

Remember that you must never combine Geodon with any drug that prolongs the part of the heartbeat known as the QT interval. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts about a drug you’re taking.

If Geodon is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Geodon with the following:

  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • Certain blood pressure medications
  • Drugs that boost the effects of dopamine such as Mirapex, Parlodel, Permax, and Requip
  • Drugs that affect the brain and nervous system, such as sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants
  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  • Levodopa (Larodopa, Sinet)

Dosage & Missed Dose

Capsule

Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully when taking this medicine. Don’t use more or less Geodon than is prescribed.

Capsules are typically taken once or twice a day with food by mouth. Try to take this medication around the same time each day.

Your doctor might start you on a low dose of Geodon and gradually increase it.

Injection

Geodon may also be administered as an injection at your doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital, where a health care professional will inject the medication into your muscle.

The dose and injection frequency will depend on your condition and response to treatment.

If you miss a dose, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses or take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (preferably not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Pregnancy/Nursing

During the last 3 months of pregnancy, taking antipsychotics may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, check with your doctor before you stop taking this medication. Withdrawal symptoms or other problems may occor if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

More Information

For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider, or you can visit this website, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a699062.html for additional information from the manufacturer of this drug.