ziprasidone
Ziprasidone is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves) and bipolar disorder (a disease that causes depression, mania, and other abnormal moods). Ziprasidone is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking ziprasidone affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Sexual dysfunction has been reported as a side effect of ziprasidone, which could make it harder to get pregnant. In some people, ziprasidone may also raise prolactin levels or cause amenorrhea (temporary absence of menstrual cycles), and changes in ovulation or menstruation can affect the ability to conceive. Anyone with concerns about fertility while taking ziprasidone should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Does taking ziprasidone increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. One prescription-based study reported a slightly higher chance of miscarriage among people who filled a ziprasidone prescription during pregnancy, but such studies cannot confirm whether the medication was actually taken, and untreated mood disorders themselves can also increase miscarriage risk. This is something to discuss with a healthcare provider when weighing treatment options.
Does taking ziprasidone increase the risk of birth defects?
In general, about 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons. Data on more than 1,800 pregnancies exposed to ziprasidone have not reported an increased chance of birth defects. Individual questions about this should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking ziprasidone during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
It is not known whether ziprasidone increases the chance of other pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery. In a small group of 34 exposed pregnancies, no increased chance of infants being small or large for gestational age was reported, and in another study of 18 exposed pregnancies, no increased chance of low birth weight, short birth length, or small head size was noted. Babies exposed near delivery may be monitored for temporary symptoms such as stiff or floppy muscle tone, drowsiness, agitation, tremors, breathing trouble, or feeding problems, so providers should be informed about ziprasidone use.
Can taking ziprasidone during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
Studies have not been done to see whether ziprasidone affects the chance of later behavior or learning issues in the child. A few case reports describe healthy children with typical development after prenatal exposure to ziprasidone. Any specific concerns about child development should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking ziprasidone?
Ziprasidone has not been well studied for use during breastfeeding. There is one case report of a person taking ziprasidone along with citalopram during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, in which the nursing baby was reported to be healthy and developing well at 6 months. Because information is limited, breastfeeding questions should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
ziprasidone