Key takeaways
Vraylar (cariprazine) and Saphris (asenapine) are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but they have some key differences. Vraylar is taken once a day by mouth, while Saphris is a dissolvable tablet taken under the tongue twice daily. Vraylar is only available as a brand-name medication, whereas Saphris is available as a lower-cost generic. Vraylar (cariprazine) is used for adults only, but Saphris can be used for bipolar disorder in children aged 10 and older. Weight gain is less common with Vraylar compared to Saphris, which often causes weight gain. Additionally, Vraylar has a higher risk of causing uncontrolled muscle movements, while Saphris can cause mouth numbness and requires you to avoid eating or drinking for 10 minutes after taking it.
