The Poison Review

Respiratory Failure Following Isolated Ziprasidone Ingestion in a Toddler. Gresham C, Ruha AM.  J Med Toxicol 2010;6:41-43.

Abstract

This well-done case report describes a 15-month-old boy who was found with five 80-mg tablets of ziprasidone (Geodon) partially dissolved in his mouth. (Usual pediatric dosage is 5 -40 mg daily).  When he was brought to the emergency department shortly thereafter he was describes as flaccid and lethargic, withdrawing to pain only.  His mental status deteriorated over the next two hours, requiring intubation and air transport to a pediatric intensive care unit.  Serum ziprasidone level 8 hours after ingestion was 330 ng/mL.

The authors state that this is the first reported case of pediatric ziprasidone ingestion causing respiratory failure.  They recommend that children who have reportedly ingested ziprasidone be observed in the emergency department for 4-6 hours for signs of respiratory depression.