Yes, ziprasidone is available in the United States
Ziprasidone (brand name Geodon) is FDA-approved and commercially available in the United States in both oral capsule and intramuscular injection formulations. 1
Available Formulations
Oral Capsules
- Strengths: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg capsules 1
- Administration: Must be taken with food (at least 500 kcal meal) to ensure adequate absorption 2
- Storage: Room temperature (59°F to 86°F or 15°C to 30°C) 1
Intramuscular Injection
- Strength: 20 mg/mL in single-dose vials 1
- Formulation: Ziprasidone mesylate for injection 1
- Use: For intramuscular use only 1
FDA-Approved Indications
The oral formulation is approved for:
- Treatment of schizophrenia in adults 1
- Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults (as monotherapy) 1
- Maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as adjunct to lithium or valproate in adults 1
The intramuscular formulation is approved for:
- Acute treatment of agitation in schizophrenic patients in adults 1
Clinical Use in the United States
Multiple U.S. clinical guidelines and studies document ziprasidone's use in American emergency departments and psychiatric settings. Ziprasidone IM 20 mg has been shown effective in rapidly reducing symptoms of acute agitation in patients with known psychotic disorders, with notably lower incidence of movement disorders compared to haloperidol 3. The drug has been commercially available in the U.S. since its initial FDA approval in 2001 4, 5.
The medication is distributed by Viatris Specialty LLC in Morgantown, West Virginia 1.