Geodon (ziprasidone hydrochloride) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works on chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin that affect mood. These chemicals may be elevated in people with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Geodon is a prescription drug that must be taken under a doctor's supervision. It should be taken at the same time each day, because it is important to maintain constant levels of it in your blood. Geodon should be taken on an empty stomach, which increases its effectiveness in your body.
Common Side Effects
Geodon.com notes that the most common side effects are fatigue, sleepiness, nausea, constipation, restlessness, abnormal muscle movements (such as tremor, shuffling or other involuntary movements), rash, cough or runny nose, and dizziness. Another common side effect as reported by eMedTV is headache.
Weight Gain
According to eMedTV, up to 10 percent of people who take Geodon experience weight gain. Some people taking this medication gain large amounts of weight. Gaining a large amount of weight increases your risk for diabetes and other health issues. Be sure to contact your doctor if you notice you are rapidly gaining weight. According to eMedTV, a small amount of weight gain (around one pound) is typical for people taking Geodon.
Dry Mouth
EMedTV reports that about 4 percent of people studied reported dry mouth as a side effect of Geodon. There are many things you can do to help you cope if you have dry mouth as a result of taking Geodon. You may switch to drinks that do not contain sugar, or sip water during the day. You can avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, as they further dry out your mouth. You can also chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candy, which will stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Geodon can cause NMS. Pfizerpro.com reports that NMS is a rare but potentially fatal side effect, common to all antipsychotic medications. Signs of NMS include high fever, muscles that feel stiff, changes in pulse or blood pressure, increased heart rate, confusion, sweating or irregular heartbeat. EMedTV recommends contacting your doctor immediately if you experience these side effects.
Sexual Side Effects
Geodon can cause some sexual dysfunction. EMedTV reports that impotence (or erectile dysfunction), ejaculation problems and difficulty achieving orgasm are all possible with Geodon. They report that impotence is relatively rare, as are reported issues with ejaculation. Ejaculation problems include delayed ejaculation, lack of ejaculation or changes in ejaculate volume. People on Geodon also rarely report an inability to achieve orgasm.
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