What is Perphenazine?

Perphenazine is an anti-psychotic medication in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.
Perphenazine is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It is also used to control severe nausea and vomiting.
Perphenazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Perphenazine?

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Perphenazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Perphenazine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Do not use perphenazine if you have liver disease, brain damage, bone marrow depression, a blood cell disorder, or if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy. Do not use if you are allergic to perphenazine or other phenothiazines.
Before you take perphenazine, tell your doctor if you have severe depression, heart disease or high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, severe asthma or breathing problems, history of seizures, Parkinson’s disease, past or present breast cancer, adrenal gland tumor, enlarged prostate or urination problems, glaucoma, low levels of calcium in your blood, or if you have ever had serious side effects while using chlorpromazine or similar medicines.
Before taking perphenazine, tell your doctor about all other medications you use.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Perphenazine?

Perphenazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Perphenazine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
You should not use perphenazine if you have liver disease, brain damage, bone marrow depression, a blood cell disorder (such as low platelets or low red or white blood cell counts), or if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy. You also should not use this medication if you are allergic to perphenazine or other phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Adgan, Pentazine, Phenergan), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take perphenazine, tell your doctor if you have:

severe or untreated depression
heart disease or high blood pressure
liver or kidney disease
severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem
a history of seizures
Parkinson’s disease
past or present breast cancer
adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
enlarged prostate or urination problems
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia)
glaucoma; or
if you have ever had a serious side effect while using perphenazine or another phenothiazine

Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or to insecticide poisons while you are taking perphenazine.
It is not known whether perphenazine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Perphenazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Perphenazine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Perphenazine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using perphenazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs
tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking
feeling restless, jittery, or agitated
confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
feeling like you might pass out
seizure (convulsions)
decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light
nausea and stomach pain, skin rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms
urinating less than usual or not at all
joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color; or
slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop)

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety
blurred vision, headache
sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams
constipation
dry mouth or stuffy nose
breast swelling or discharge
changes in your menstrual periods
weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet
impotence, trouble having an orgasm; or
mild itching or skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Perphenazine Interactions

What other drugs affect Perphenazine?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can interact with perphenazine and cause medical problems or increase side effects. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other anti-psychotic medications.
Also tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine)
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
gefitinib (Iressa), imatinib (Gleevec), or nilotinib (Tasigna)
an antibiotic
birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens
blood pressure medication
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
certain asthma medications or bronchodilators
heart rhythm medication
HIV or AIDS medications
incontinence medications
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth
medication for nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness
medications to treat or prevent malaria
medications used for general anesthesia
medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection
numbing medicine such as lidocaine or Novocain
a stimulant or ADHD medication
ulcer or irritable bowel medications; or
medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma)

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with perphenazine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking Perphenazine?

Perphenazine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of perphenazine.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Perphenazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and protective clothing if you must be outdoors.

Perphenazine Dosage

How should I take Perphenazine?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver and kidney function may need to be checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking perphenazine.
Do not stop using perphenazine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or feeling shaky. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using perphenazine.
Store perphenazine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Perphenazine?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, constipation, bloating or stomach cramps, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, fast or pounding heartbeat; uncontrollable muscle movements, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of Perphenazine?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Perphenazine