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.
