Posted by Sunnely on May 10, 2001, at 1:08:45
In reply to Re: Ziprasidone comments, posted by SalArmy4me on May 7, 2001, at 14:02:05
> > I try all the new drugs myself, before I recommend them to someone. Lately, I have been trying Ziprasidone for 11 days. I take 160 mg at bedtime. The main side-effect is drowsiness, but it causes a little Restless Legs Syndrome that I have to take Neurontin to get rid of. For me, ziprasidone is no better than Zyprexa or Seroquel as far as side-effects are concerned.
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If you are indeed taking ziprasidone (Geodon) as 160 mg at bedtime, then I would not be surprised if you find it ineffective for whatever reason(s) you are taking it.
Let me explain. Firstly, ziprasidone has a very short half-life (6.6. hours). It is recommended to be taken, at least, in 2 divided doses a day. Taking it as a once-a-day dose, no matter how much, will probably lead to subtherapeutic effect. Secondly, it must be taken with food. Food doubles its absorption and increases its "bioavailability" up to 60%. Taking ziprasidone on its own may be equivalent to taking a placebo. I am assuming you are not taking it with food, unless your bedtime is also your suppertime or snack time.
Although drowsiness is a common side effect, just about same number of patients who take ziprasidone, at least in the beginning, complain of insomnia. This is the reason why, in some patients, the bulk of the dose may need to begin in the morning, or temporarily may need to take a "sleeper" such as a benzodiazepine (e.g., lorazepam or Ativan) at night.
As to your comment that "it causes a little Restless Legs Syndrome" (RLS), I am not sure if you really meant this condition. Could it be "akathisia"? RLS and akathisia are two distinct conditions, but oftenly, one can be mistaken for the other.
As to your comment that "ziprasidone is no better than Zyprexa or Seroquel as far as side-effects are concerned," I believe you have to be more specific than this. For one, ziprasidone causes the least amount of weight gain among all atypical antipsychotic drugs (e.g., Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, and Clozaril). Furthermore, it is expected to induce lesser rate of (sugar) diabetes and elevations of triglycerides than the other atypical antipsychotics.
Pardon me if I sound harsh with my comments. Just stating the facts.
Best of luck to your "self-clinical trials" of ziprasidone and the other (multitudes of) medications.
poster:Sunnely
thread:61843
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010507/msgs/62329.html