The antipsychotic Geodon (generic ziprasidone) has been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder, when used along with lithium or valproate (Depakote, etc.). In a controlled clinical trial, more patients went six months without a mood episode when Geodon was combined with either lithium or valproate than those who got a placebo instead of Geodon - 80.3% compared to 62.6%. In addition, more people taking the placebo dropped out of the study due to side effects than did those taking Geodon.
Geodon was previously approved in 2001 for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and in 2004 for treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder. The additional approval for maintenance treatment gives doctors another long-term use drug to help stabilize moods.
Geodon Drug Profile
Geodon Side Effects
Sources:
Gever, John. Ziprasidoned Okayed for Bipolar Disorder. MedPage Today. 11-23-09.
Geodon Approved Label. Drugs@FDA. 11-19-09. 11-23-09.
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Geodon is used in the ER for combative people. It was tested in the California Penal System. Caution: Using a lesser dose can cause combativeness. If a person has been on Geodon for a while, it may lose it’s effectiveness over time and the person becomes combative showing behavior indicative of borderline personality disorder. An increase in Geodon or substitution of another drug for Geodon usually eliminates the borderline behavior. MY observation and feedback from people in my bipolar seminars. Dr. Jay