Vraylar vs. Geodon

Vraylar (cariprazine) and Geodon (ziprasidone HCl and ziprasidone mesylate) are atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia, and for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

Geodon also can be used as maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder when added to lithium or valproate.

Side effects of Vraylar and Geodon that are similar include extrapyramidal symptoms (muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, tremor, jerking movements), nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, restlessness, weight gain, headache, constipation, anxiety, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness, and cough.

Side effects of Vraylar that are different from Geodon include agitation, indigestion, insomnia, abdominal pain, toothache, pain in extremities, dry mouth, and back pain.

Side effects of Geodon that are different from Vraylar include upset stomach, drowsiness, depression, skin rash, and runny or stuffy nose.

Both Vraylar and Geodon may interact with CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampin carbamazepine).

Vraylar may also interact with CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as itraconazole and ketoconazole).

Geodon may also interact with alcohol, other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicines, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicines for seizures, depression, or anxiety), diuretics (water pills), blood pressure medicines, heart rhythm medicines, cisapride, haloperidol, or medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Side effects of Vraylar include:

• extrapyramidal symptoms (muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, tremor, jerking movements),
• agitation,
• indigestion,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• sleepiness,
• restlessness,
• weight gain,
• headache,
• insomnia,
• abdominal pain,
• constipation,
• toothache,
• anxiety,
• diarrhea,
• pain in the extremities,
• dry mouth,
• loss of appetite,
• back pain,
• dizziness, and
• cough.

Common side effects of Geodon include:

• feeling unusually tired or sleepy;
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• loss of appetite;
• constipation;
• dizziness,
• drowsiness;
• restlessness;
• anxiety,
• headache,
• depression;
• abnormal muscle movements,
• such as tremor,
• shuffling, and
• uncontrolled involuntary movements,
• muscle pain or twitching;
• diarrhea;
• skin rash;
• weight gain, and
• increased cough or runny or stuffy nose.

Serious side effects of Geodon include

• fainting or
• loss of consciousness or
• heart palpitations.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur.

Vraylar (cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, and the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

Geodon (ziprasidone HCl and ziprasidone mesylate) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Geodon also can be used as maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder when added to lithium or valproate.

Vraylar may interact with CYP3A4 inducers and inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Geodon may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), blood pressure medicines, and medications to treat Parkinson's disease.

Geodon may also interact with diuretics (water pills), heart rhythm medicines, blood pressure medicines, amazepine, cisapride, or haloperidol.

The starting dose of Vraylar is 1.5 mg once daily.

Geodon (ziprasidone HCl) is available as capsules and Geodon (ziprasidone mesylate) is available as an injection for intramuscular use.

Geodon Capsules should be administered at an initial daily dose of 20 mg twice daily with food. For intramuscular dosing, the recommended dose of Geodon is 10 mg to 20 mg administered as required up to a maximum dose of 40 mg per day.