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Compare Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

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

Key takeaways

Perphenazine and thioridazine are both first-generation antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia, but they have some key differences. Perphenazine is also approved to treat severe nausea and vomiting, while thioridazine is only used for schizophrenia when other medications haven't worked or caused intolerable side effects. Both medications need to be taken multiple times a day and cause many side effects, including weight gain, sleepiness, and dizziness. Thioridazine is less likely to cause muscle movement problems but isn’t a first-choice option because it can cause dangerous changes in heart rhythm. However, both medications can result in a higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Additionally, both medications are available in lower-cost generic forms.

  • Perphenazine
    Thioridazine
  • Perphenazine
    Thioridazine

  • Summary of Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

    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.

    Summary for First-generation (typical) antipsychotic
    Prescription only

    Thioridazine, previously known under the brand name Mellaril, treats adults and children with schizophrenia. This first-generation antipsychotic, or also called typical antipsychotic, is typically used only when other antipsychotic medications haven't worked well. Thioridazine tablets are taken by mouth a few times throughout the day. The dosage depends on how well the medication is helping with your symptoms and whether you're having side effects like dry mouth, sleepiness, and nausea. Thioridazine can also cause a serious heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation, so it's not a first-choice option.

  • Indications of Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia
    •Severe nausea and vomiting
    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia when other antipsychotic medications haven't worked well or have caused bothersome side effects

  • Pros and Cons of Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

    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
    Pros and Const for First-generation (typical) antipsychotic
    Pros
    •Less risk for weight gain than with atypical antipsychotics
    •Less likely to have problems with muscle movements than other antipsychotic medications
    •Available in many different strengths
    Cons
    •Must take many times a day
    •Not a first-choice option because it has many potential side effects
    •Can't take with certain medications, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and propranolol (Inderal), because it raises the risk for dangerous changes in heart rhythm

  • Common Side Effects of Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

    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%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Dry mouth
    •Blurry vision
    •Constipation
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Diarrhea

  • Warnings of Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •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 count (leading to possible risk for infection)
    •Possible high prolactin levels
    •Harm to an unborn baby

  • Prices with our coupons for Perphenazine vs. Thioridazine

    Learn more about Perphenazine
    Learn more about Thioridazine

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