Geodon (Ziprasidone) Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are mental health conditions that affect millions of people each year in the U.S. If you live with one of those conditions, you may be familiar with Geodon (ziprasidone).

Geodon is a medication that’s been approved to help address symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults. It belongs to a group of medications called atypical antipsychotics. 

In this guide, we will talk about typical Geodon dosages. Keep in mind that you may have been told to take Geodon differently than what’s described in this guide. So be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and let them know if you have any questions. 

Promotion disclosure

Ziprasidone

Avg retail price

$441.74(Save 96.64%)

GoodRx discount

$14.85

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

What’s the typical Geodon dosage?

Geodon is available as 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg oral capsules. An 80 mg capsule is available if you take a higher dosage. Geodon is also sometimes given as an injection into your muscle by a healthcare provider. 

Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules. It’s also important to take your Geodon dose with food. If you take it on an empty stomach, you may not absorb as much of your dose.

Your typical Geodon dosage depends on the condition it’s being used to treat, as covered below.

Schizophrenia

The typical starting Geodon dosage for schizophrenia is 20 mg by mouth twice daily. Based on your response, your healthcare provider may suggest increasing your dose. The highest recommended dosage is 80 mg twice daily. Your dose could go up to 100 mg twice daily, but dosages higher than this haven’t been tested for safety.

If you’re experiencing a severe episode of agitation, your healthcare provider may recommend Geodon in its injection form. The typical Geodon injection dosage is 10 mg to 20 mg every 2 to 4 hours. The manufacturer recommends not going over 40 mg daily.

The use of the intramuscular injection hasn’t been studied for longer than a few days. Once your symptoms are managed, it’s generally recommended to take the capsules.

Bipolar disorder

For bipolar manic or mixed episodes, the starting Geodon dosage is usually higher — 40 mg by mouth twice a day. On the second day, your healthcare provider may increase your dosage to 60 mg to 80 mg twice daily. Further adjustments may be made after that.

After you’ve been stabilized, you may be instructed to continue taking Geodon. In some cases, it may be taken along with other bipolar treatments, like lithium or valproate. Your healthcare provider will determine how long you should continue Geodon.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions or interactions?

There are certain situations where a different Geodon dosage may be recommended. Drug interactions are one example. And other medical conditions you have may require caution with Geodon.

Kidney problems

If you have kidney problems, there’s no recommended dosage adjustment for the capsules. But the Geodon injection should be used with caution. That’s because it contains an ingredient that can accumulate in your body.

Liver problems

If you have liver problems, your body may take a little longer to clear Geodon. While there’s no specific dosage adjustment, it should still be used with caution.

Considerations for people with heart problems

Geodon can increase the risk of certain heart rhythm problems (called QT prolongation). This risk can go up with higher doses and if you’re taking Geodon with other medications that have a similar effect.

For that reason, Geodon should be avoided if you have a history of QT prolongation. It should also be avoided if you have uncontrolled heart failure, or if you’ve recently had a heart attack. And certain medication combinations aren’t recommended, as described next.

Adjustments for interactions

Geodon can potentially interact with other medications. One example is carbamazepine (Tegretol). When taken with Geodon, it can lower Geodon levels in your blood. Your healthcare provider may need to increase your Geodon dosage with this combination.

Another example is ketoconazole, which can increase Geodon levels in your blood. This can increase the risk of Geodon side effects, like sleepiness. Your healthcare provider may need to lower your Geodon dosage with this combination.

Some medications can increase the risk of QT prolongation. Examples include certain antiarrhythmics, moxifloxacin, and hydroxyzine (Vistaril). It’s recommended to avoid combining these medications with Geodon.

Make sure to provide your current medication list to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. They can check for potential interactions that affect your Geodon dosage ahead of time. 

What happens if you miss a dose of Geodon?

It’s important to take your medication as directed. But if you forget to take your Geodon dose, don’t worry. You can take it as soon as you remember. Though, if it’s too close to the time of your next dose, it’s better to skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regular time. Doubling doses can increase the risk of side effects.

What should you do if you take too much Geodon?

Geodon can make you drowsy and dizzy. Avoid doing any task that requires alertness until you know how Geodon makes you feel. Taking too much Geodon can increase those side effects. It can also make you feel anxious and have uncontrolled body movements.

If you think you took too much Geodon, contact your healthcare provider right away or call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. Go to your nearest emergency room if any symptoms feel life-threatening or severe.

How to save on Geodon

There are many ways to save on Geodon, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. 

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Geodon at certain pharmacies is as low as $14.85 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $4 for brand-name Geodon using a savings card from the manufacturer. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sandy P. Bonfin, PharmD, BCPS

Sandy Bonfin has 9 years of experience as a pharmacist and has been working as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital in Florida for the past 7 years after a short stint as a mail-order retail pharmacist. Sandy has worked in pediatric medicine, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and intensive care.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts