How to Use Geodon With Children
Geodon, an antipsychotic drug used to stabilize mood disorders in children, may help families to enjoy "golden moments" again. Geodon, the brand name for ziprasidone, has fewer adverse side-effects than traditional antipsychotics.
Before considering the drug for your child, carefully observe his behaviors and investigate treatments, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, to bring about desired changes. Consult with professionals when revising doses, and speak with parents in similar situations for peer support. View the child's need for medication to manage behaviors in much the same way people use eye glasses or corrective shoes.
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Things You'll Need
- Psychiatrist evaluation
- Prescription
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) (optional)
- Behavior log
- Support group (optional)
Instructions
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Using Geodon
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1
Chart behaviors and observe symptoms, including physical aggression toward parents and peers, irritability, wandering away from home and school, and poor frustration tolerance. Use a notebook as a log to track behaviors. Consult with the classroom teacher on recording baseline information similar to an example at Bipolarchild.com that identifies level of performance, an annual goal and short-term objectives.
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2
Share the log at a meeting with a school psychiatrist, private psychiatrist or a county department of mental health official to get an evaluation and a prescription for Geodon. Ask for case studies or other evidence to substantiate decisions for using Geodon. Submit the prescription to a pharmacist.
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3
Start with a low dose. Gradually increase the dosage and do not expect to see improvement for a few weeks. Provide the school nurse or teacher with medicine to take during lunch or other appropriate time. Begin charting how behaviors change: Is the child falling asleep normally or having more difficulty at bedtime? Set expectations and understand that medications may have their own unique lifespan, as noted by a parent in a forum at Conductdisorders.com who wrote, "Geodon did remarkably well for about 6 months and no longer seems to be cutting it."
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4
Note whether Geodon makes the child more positive and cooperative. Consult with a psychiatrist and watch for side-effects such as an increased level of the hormone prolactin. Increase doses if necessary, but watch for more hyperactive or manic behavior that may result. Request a follow-up meeting with the school teacher, school psychiatrist and the district's special education department to determine if a more in-depth study is needed. Visit Clinicaltrials.gov to see if participants are needed for studies on Geodon or to request the most recent studies.
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5
Meet with a psychiatrist in follow-up appointments to determine if Geodon is effectively meeting needs or if another treatment is necessary. Join a support group made up of parents who are dealing with challenging behaviors in their children. Ask for input on Geodon and the effectiveness of additional medications. Adjust doses as needed to see how behaviors are affected.
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Tips & Warnings
Identify the desired behavior and set goals to achieve it.
Not all pharmaceuticals work the same among different children.
If tics develop, contact the prescribing physician or psychiatrist.
