Geodon Side Effects

Like any drug, Geodon has the potential for minor side effects such as

• headache
• drowsiness
• anxiety
• diarrhea
• constipation
• loss of appetite
• cough
• runny nose
• weight gain
• muscle pain
• restlessness

In rare cases, Geodon has been shown to cause more serious conditions known as

• tardive dyskinesia(involuntary body movements)
• serotonin syndrome(the production of excess serotonin to the point of toxicity, which can be fatal)
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome(causes stiff muscles, sweating, fever, confusion, and irregular heartbeat, and can be fatal as well)

Warnings & Recalls for Geodon

Although Geodon is FDA-approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Geodon has come under fire for the illegal actions of its manufacturer, Pfizer. In 2009, a lawsuit was brought against Pfizer for marketing Geodon, along with several other drugs, for uses not approved by the FDA. Pfizer paid child psychiatrists to illegally promote Geodon to young patients, despite the fact that Geodon was only approved for adult use at the time. This resulted in the largest health care settlement of its time. Pfizer paid a $2.3 billion settlement to the federal government and the states effected, although they did not admit guilt. In 2005, Geodon earned a black box warning for its potential to cause increased mortality in elderly patients with psychosis brought on by dementia.The risk of diabetes and sudden death from heart attack can also be increased by taking Geodon. If you or someone you know has taken Geodon(Ziprasidone)and suffered from any of these side effects, immediately seek medical attention and report your experience here.

Geodon Treatment and Use

Geodon | ziprasidone is an atypical antipsychotic manufactured by Pfizer that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. By altering the reception of chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, Geodon has been shown to decrease symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, while improving motivation and feelings of social isolation.

Geodon can be administered orally as a pill, or injected in its intramuscular form depending on what it is being used to treat. Those taking Geodon are initially provided a low dose before having their dosage gradually increased as time goes by to gauge the patient’s reaction to the drug.

 

Other Names for Geodon

Brand name:

• Geodon

Generic:

• ziprasidone

 

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Geodon