Key takeaways
Ziprasidone (Geodon) and asenapine (Saphris) are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, but they have some key differences. Ziprasidone is available in both oral and injectable forms, while asenapine is taken as a dissolvable tablet under the tongue. Ziprasidone must be taken with food twice daily, whereas asenapine dissolves quickly under the tongue and should not be chewed or swallowed. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Asenapine can be used in children aged 10 and older for bipolar disorder, while ziprasidone is only approved for adults. Both medications can cause weight gain, but ziprasidone is less likely to do so compared to other antipsychotics. Additionally, ziprasidone has a lower risk of causing heart rhythm problems, but it still requires caution in people with heart issues.
