Compare Haldol vs. Saphris

Haldol (haloperidol) and Saphris (asenapine) are both antipsychotic medications, but they belong to different classes and have distinct forms. Haldol is a typical antipsychotic used for treating psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and is available as oral forms, as well as a long-acting injection given monthly or a short-acting injection for acute agitation. In contrast, Saphris is an atypical antipsychotic used for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and it comes as a dissolvable tablet taken under the tongue twice daily. Haldol works by blocking dopamine activity, while Saphris affects both dopamine and serotonin. Both medications can cause weight gain and movement-related side effects. Additionally, Haldol is available as a lower-cost generic, while Saphris is also available as a generic but tends to be more expensive.