Key takeaways
Quetiapine (Seroquel) and fluphenazine are both used to treat mental health conditions, but they have some key differences. Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that helps with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It works by balancing dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Fluphenazine, on the other hand, is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic used to treat conditions that cause psychosis and works by blocking dopamine activity. Quetiapine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, while fluphenazine comes in short-acting and long-acting injections, as well as oral forms. Quetiapine is generally taken 2-3 times a day, while fluphenazine's dosing can vary from multiple times a day to once every 4-6 weeks for the long-acting injection. Both medications can cause weight gain and sleepiness, but both are more common with quetiapine. On the other hand, fluphenazine is more likely to cause movement disorders and high prolactin levels. Neither medications is recommended for older adults with dementia-related psychosis due to increased risk of death.
