About Bipolar Disorder — GEODON® Official Site

“Many of my patients find that the irritability and impulsiveness of bipolar mania cause them to do things that harm their relationships with family and coworkers.”

—Dr. Suarez*

“My doctor told me I have bipolar disorder. It felt good to put a name to what was wrong and to know it can be treated.”

—Amelia^†

Dr. Suarez and Amelia will guide you through this section. And Amelia will share with you her personal experiences with bipolar disorder. The information you’ll find here may help you cope with the daily challenges of bipolar disorder and get you going in the right direction.

Conversation Kit
This tool will help make it easier to talk to your doctor about how you feel (coming soon).

Getting a diagnosis
Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose. Give your doctor all the information needed to make a correct diagnosis.

Learn about GEODON
GEODON can help improve symptoms in patients with acute manic and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder.

*	Dr. Suarez is a practicing psychiatrist. He did not treat the patients depicted on this Web site. Dr. Suarez received compensation from Pfizer, the makers of GEODON, for his contributions to this site.
^†	Based on conversations with real patients.

Next: What is bipolar disorder?

GEODON^® (ziprasidone HCl) Capsules Indication Statement

GEODON is indicated for schizophrenia and acute bipolar manic or mixed episodes, with or without psychotic features. For full symptoms and diagnostic criteria, see the DSM-IV-TR^® (2000).

GEODON Important Safety Information

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). GEODON is not approved for treating these patients.

You should not take GEODON if you have certain kinds of heart conditions or take certain medicines. GEODON may increase the risk of changes to your heart rhythm. It is important to talk to your doctor about this possible side effect. And be sure to call your doctor right away if you faint, pass out, or feel a change in your heartbeat.

Serious side effects can occur with any antipsychotic medicine, including GEODON. Tell your doctor right away if you experience a high fever, stiff muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased heart rate or blood pressure. These can be signs of a rare condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Also tell your doctor if you experience abnormal or uncontrollable facial or body movements. These could be a sign of tardive dyskinesia (TD), which may become permanent.

Medicines like GEODON may raise blood sugar levels. There have been few reports of high blood sugar or diabetes in patients who take GEODON. It is not known if GEODON was the cause.

If you experience a rash, lightheadedness, or seizures while taking GEODON, tell your doctor.

Common side effects of GEODON include the following and should also be discussed with your doctor if they occur:

Feeling unusually tired or sleepy
Nausea or upset stomach
Constipation
Dizziness
Restlessness

Abnormal muscle movements, including tremor, shuffling, and uncontrolled involuntary movements
Diarrhea
Rash
Increased cough/runny nose

In short-term schizophrenia clinical trials, 10% of GEODON-treated patients experienced a weight gain of >7% of body weight vs. 4% for placebo.

Please see GEODON full prescribing information including patient summary.

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