Key takeaways
Risperidone (Risperdal) and asenapine (Saphris) are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but they have some key differences. Risperidone is available in generic form and can be taken as a pill, dissolvable tablet, or liquid, while asenapine is only available as a dissolvable tablet that you place under your tongue. Risperidone is typically taken once or twice daily, whereas asenapine needs to be taken twice daily. Risperidone can be used for irritability associated with autism in children, but asenapine is not approved for this use. Asenapine tends to be more expensive and is not suitable for people with severe liver problems. Both medications can cause weight gain and sleepiness, but risperidone has a higher risk of movement problems and changes in sleep patterns. Additionally, both medications can interact with many different medications.
