Perphenazine tablets

To return to the main entry click here.

What are perphenazine tablets?

PERPHENAZINE (Trilafon®) helps to treat disordered thoughts and some other emotional, nervous, and mental problems. It also is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting in adults. Generic perphenazine tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• blood disorders or disease
• difficulty passing urine
• glaucoma
• head injury
• heart or liver disease
• low blood level of calcium
• Parkinson's disease
• prostate trouble
• Reye's syndrome
• seizures (convulsions)
• stomach problems or peptic ulcer
• an unusual or allergic reaction to perphenazine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take perphenazine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take perphenazine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

What drug(s) may interact with perphenazine?

• alcohol
• antacids
• some antibiotics
• antidiarrheal medications
• atropine
• bromocriptine
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• dextroamphetamine or amphetamine
• doxercalciferol
• dronabinol or marijuana
• haloperidol or droperidol
• levodopa
• lithium
• medicines for an over-active thyroid gland
• medicines for colds and flu
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease
• medicines to prevent or treat malaria
• medications for treating seizures (convulsions)
• medicines for pain or for use as muscle relaxants, including tramadol
• medicines to treat urine or bladder incontinence
• metoclopramide
• pimozide
• probucol
• some medications for high blood pressure or heart problems
• some weight loss medications

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking perphenazine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Do not stop taking perphenazine suddenly; this can cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you are to stop taking this medicine.

You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how perphenazine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Perphenazine can reduce the response of your body to heat or cold. Try not to get overheated. Avoid temperature extremes, such as saunas, hot tubs, or very hot or cold baths or showers. Dress warmly in cold weather.

Perphenazine can make your skin more sensitive to sun or ultraviolet light. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Perphenazine may make your mouth dry, chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, sore throat, indigestion, diarrhea, or allergies. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you are going to have surgery or will need a procedure that uses contrast agents, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from taking perphenazine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• blurred vision
• breast enlargement in men or women
• breast milk in women who are not breast-feeding
• chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
• confusion, restlessness
• dark yellow or brown urine
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• dizziness or fainting spells
• drooling, shaking, movement difficulty (shuffling walk) or rigidity
• fever, chills, sore throat
• hot, dry skin, unable to sweat
• involuntary or uncontrollable movements of the eyes, mouth, head, arms, and legs
• menstrual changes
• puffing cheeks, smacking lips, or worm-like movements of the tongue
• seizures (convulsions)
• slurred speech
• stomach area pain
• sweating
• unusual weakness or tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• yellowing of skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• difficulty passing urine
• difficulty sleeping, agitation or restlessness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light
• sexual difficulties (impotence in men; increased sexual desire in women)
• skin rash, or itching
• stuffy nose
• weight gain

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 2 and 25 degrees C (36 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.