Focus on ziprasidone

Ziprasidone is a new antipsychotic with combined dopamine and serotonin receptor antagonist activity. The initial evidence suggests an effective dosage range of 80-160 mg/day. Clinical trials suggest that the drug is an effective antipsychotic in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder with a beneficial effect on negative symptoms and symptoms of depression. The main adverse effects appear to be somnolence (14%) and nausea (10%). Ziprasidone has relatively fewer side-effects and yet has at least equivalent efficacy for florid 'positive' symptoms compared with conventional antipsychotics. The additional serotonergic actions deliver further efficacy against 'negative' and affective symptoms of schizophrenia. Reduced effects on cognitive abilities compared to conventional antipsychotics make ziprasidone more attractive still. Barring any unforeseen complications, it appears to a most valuable addition to the antipsychotic agents.