Ziprasidone

▴ Ziprasidone is a novel antipsychotic drug. It has high affinity for serotonin 5-HT(2) and dopamine D(2) receptors in vitro, with an 11-fold higher affinity for 5-HT(2) than for D(2) receptors, suggestive of a low potential for inducing motor disturbance [including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)].▴ The effects of ziprasidone in receptor binding studies reflected its in vitro pharmacology, with more potent effects against 5-HT(2) receptor- than against D(2) receptor-mediated behaviour.▴ Because ziprasidone inhibits serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake, it may have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.▴ Data from phase II and III clinical trials have shown ziprasidone to be effective in reducing the positive and negative symptoms of, and depression associated with, schizophrenia, and in reducing anxiety in patients about to undergo dental surgery.▴ Ziprasidone was generally well tolerated in phase II and III clinical trials, with somnolence and nausea being the most frequently reported adverse events in placebo-controlled studies. Motor disturbances, including EPS, were infrequently observed.