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Compare Haldol vs. Perphenazine

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Haloperidol (Haldol) and perphenazine (Trilafon) are both typical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia, but they have some key differences. Haloperidol is available as oral forms, and an injection, either long-acting (given monthly) or short-acting (used in hospital settings), while perphenazine is taken orally multiple times a day. Haloperidol and perphenazine primarily work by blocking dopamine activity to reduce hallucinations and delusions. Perphenazine is unique in that it is also approved to treat severe nausea and vomiting, unlike haloperidol. Both medications can cause movement-related side effects, weight gain and other side effects like drowsiness and dizziness. Both medications carry serious risks for older adults with dementia-related psychosis, including a higher risk of death and stroke.

  • Haloperidol injection
    Perphenazine
  • Haloperidol injection
    Perphenazine

  • Summary of Haldol vs. Perphenazine

    Summary for Typical antipsychotic
    Prescription only

    Haloperidol injection is an antipsychotic medication that's used to treat schizophrenia. It's a long-acting injection that's given into the muscles monthly by a healthcare provider. It's also available as a shorter-acting injection that's typically given in a hospital setting to people who are experiencing agitation related to schizophrenia. The most common side effects of haloperidol injection are movement-related side effects, such as rigid muscles, tremors, and trouble speaking.

    Summary for First generation (typical) antipsychotic
    Prescription only

    Perphenazine is a typical antipsychotic. It's used to treat schizophrenia, as well as severe nausea and vomiting in adults. Perphenazine comes as tablets that are taken by mouth, typically up to 3 to 4 times per day, depending on the condition. Side effects of this medication include sleepiness, insomnia, and changes in body weight (both weight gain and loss); drinking alcohol can worsen certain side effects. Brand name Trilafon has been discontinued; perphenazine is only available as a generic medication.

  • Indications of Haldol vs. Perphenazine

    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia
    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia
    •Severe nausea and vomiting

  • Pros and Cons of Haldol vs. Perphenazine

    Pros and Const for Typical antipsychotic
    Pros
    •Typically given monthly
    •Low risk for weight gain, compared to some other antipsychotics
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
    Cons
    •Needs to be injected
    •Higher risk of movement-related side effects compared to atypical antipsychotics
    •Can't be used in children
    Pros and Const for First generation (typical) antipsychotic
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Less likely to cause weight gain than some other antipsychotic medications
    •An option for severe nausea and vomiting
    Cons
    •Needs to be taken multiple times a day
    •Can cause sexual side effects
    •More likely to cause movement-related side effects than atypical antipsychotics

  • Common Side Effects of Haldol vs. Perphenazine

    Common Side Effects for
    •Stiff or rigid muscles, tremors, trouble speaking, and other parkinsonism symptoms (31%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness (28%)
    •Trouble sleeping (25%)
    •Sexual side effects (25%)
    •Dry mouth (22%)
    •Constipation (22%)
    •Trouble urinating (22%)
    •Abnormal body movements (17%)
    •Weight gain (12%)
    •Changes in menstrual bleeding (11%)
    •Dizziness when standing (11%)

  • Warnings of Haldol vs. Perphenazine

    Common Side Effects for
    •Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Difficulty controlling body movements
    •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
    •Higher risk of falls
    •Pneumonia
    •Low white blood cell counts
    •Harm to unborn babies
    Common Side Effects for
    •Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
    •Difficulty controlling body movements
    •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
    •Higher risk of falls
    •Lower white blood cell counts
    •Harm to unborn babies

  • Prices with our coupons for Haldol vs. Perphenazine

    Learn more about Haloperidol injection
    Learn more about Perphenazine

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