Tolerability of Ziprasidone: An Expanding Perspective

Although atypical antipsychotic agents have improved the management of patients with schizophrenia,their utility has been hindered by some limitations, including significant weight gain, glucosemetabolism disturbances, and increases in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceridelevels. In addition to its low liability for movement disorders and its favorable tolerability recordin short- and long-term clinical trials, ziprasidone is associated with a favorable metabolic safety profile(in terms of its effect on plasma lipid and glucose levels) and a negligible effect on weight. Thelimited effect of ziprasidone on the corrected QT interval (QTc) has also been well characterized, andexperience to date has not demonstrated any increased risk of clinical events attributable to QTc prolongation.This review of pharmacokinetic and clinical trials of ziprasidone versus placebo and activecomparators focuses on the safety and tolerability of both the intramuscular and oral formulations.