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Brand Names: Trilafon

Generic Name: perphenazine (Pronunciation: per FEN a zeen)

• What is perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• What are the possible side effects of perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• What is the most important information I should know about perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• How should I take perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Trilafon)?
• What happens if I overdose (Trilafon)?
• What should I avoid while taking perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• What other drugs will affect perphenazine (Trilafon)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is perphenazine (Trilafon)?

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.

Perphenazine 16 mg-WAR

round, gray, imprinted with SP 077

Perphenazine 2 mg-WAR

rectangular, gray, imprinted with SP 705

Perphenazine 4 mg-QUA

round, gray, imprinted with 4941 V

Perphenazine 4 mg-WAR

round, gray, imprinted with SP 940

Perphenazine 8 mg-QUA

round, gray, imprinted with 4942 V

Perphenazine 8 mg-WAR

round, gray, imprinted with SP 313

Trilafon 4 mg

round, gray, imprinted with LOGO 940

Trilafon 8 mg

round, gray, imprinted with LOGO 313

What are the possible side effects of perphenazine (Trilafon)?

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.

What is the most important information I should know about perphenazine (Trilafon)?

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.