Key takeaways
Ziprasidone (Geodon) and fluphenazine are both antipsychotic medications. Ziprasidone is an atypical antipsychotic, while fluphenazine is a typical antipsychotic. Both medications are used for schizophrenia, but ziprasidone is also FDA-approved for bipolar I disorder, whereas fluphenazine is used for psychotic disorders. Ziprasidone is taken orally twice a day with food and is available as an injection for agitation in schizophrenia, while fluphenazine comes in various forms, including tablets, liquid, and both short- and long-acting injections. Both medications come as a generic, but only ziprasidone also comes in a branded version. Common side effects of ziprasidone include sleepiness and nausea, while fluphenazine can cause sleepiness and movement problems. Both medications can cause serious side effects like neuroleptic malignant syndrome, but ziprasidone has a lower risk of weight gain compared to fluphenazine. Additionally, ziprasidone can interact with medications that affect heart rhythm, while fluphenazine should not be used with large doses of hypnotics or in cases of severe depression.
