Abstract
Ziprasidone is the most recent atypical antipsychotic approved for use in the United States. Significant concern has been raised about its safety, specifically cardiac effects. Ziprasidone has been noted to cause QTc prolongation and is contraindicated in patients receiving other agents that increase the QT interval, those with a history of QT prolongation, heart failure, recent heart attacks, electrolyte imbalances, and arrhythmias. Most of the safety and efficacy data for ziprasidone are from adults. Only one study has evaluated the safety and efficacy of ziprasidone in children and adolescents with Tourette's syndrome and tic disorder ( Sallee et al., 2000 Sallee FR Kurlan R Goetz CG et al. Ziprasidone treatment of children and adolescents with Tourette's syndrome: a pilot study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000; 39: 292-299 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (291) Google Scholar ). More safety and effectiveness data are necessary before ziprasidone is used as a first-line atypical antipsychotic in children and adolescents. Ziprasidone's propensity to prolong the QT interval raises significant concern because children and adolescents may be more susceptible to cardiac effects ( Wilens et al., 1996 Wilens TE Biederman J Baldessarini RJ et al. Cardiovascular effects of therapeutic doses of tricyclic antidepressants in children and adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1996; 35: 1491-1501 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (119) Google Scholar ).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
