Key facts about Perphenazine
What dosages is Perphenazine available in?
Perphenazine is available as a 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 16 mg oral tablet.
What is Perphenazine used for?
Perphenazine is a typical antipsychotic and is used to treat:
- Schizophrenia
- Severe nausea and vomiting
How does Perphenazine work?
Perphenazine is an antipsychotic medication. It’s not completely clear how the medication works, but it’s thought to affect dopamine activity in your brain. This helps with regulating your thoughts and mood, as well as with relieving severe nausea and vomiting.
How do I take Perphenazine?
Perphenazine is typically dosed as follows:
- Schizophrenia: The typical starting dose can range from 4 mg to 8 mg by mouth three times a day. Your provider will determine your dose based on how severe your symptoms are
- Nausea and vomiting: The typical dose is 8 mg to 16 mg by mouth a day. Your provider will instruct you on how to split your dose throughout the day
Is it safe for me to take Perphenazine?
Perphenazine is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Perphenazine will not be safe for you to take.
- In a coma Take large doses of sedating medications (e.g., sleeping medications, opioid pain medications, alcohol, sedating illicit substances, antihistamines)
- Current blood conditions, bone marrow problems, or liver damage
- Certain cases of suspected or known brain damage
Perphenazine Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Perphenazine:
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Drop in blood pressure when you stand up
- Faster or slower heartbeat
Perphenazine Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Perphenazine. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD): uncontrollable movements like lip smacking, eye blinking, sticking out your tongue, grimacing
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: high fever, fast heart rate, full body stiffness, confusion
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior in people with depression
- Seizures
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Perphenazine
The following medications may interact with Perphenazine:
- The concomitant administration of other drugs that inhibit the activity of P450 2D6 may acutely increase plasma concentrations of antipsychotics. Among these are tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine. When prescribing these drugs to patients already receiving antipsychotic therapy, close monitoring is essential and dose reduction may become necessary to avoid toxicity. Lower doses than usually prescribed for either the antipsychotic or the other drug may be required
Who makes Perphenazine?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Perphenazine safe in pregnancy?
Safe use of Perphenazine during pregnancy and lactation has
133 not been established; therefore, in administering the drug to pregnant patients, 134 nursing mothers, or women who may become pregnant, the possible benefits must 135 be weighed against the possible hazards to mother and child.
