$Unique_ID{BRK02080}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PERPHENAZINE}
$Subject{Trilafon (Schering)
Trilafon Repetabs (Schering)}
$Volume{}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PERPHENAZINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Trilafon (Schering)
     Trilafon Repetabs (Schering)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Phenothiazine tranquilizer
INGREDIENT:
     perphenazine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 16 mg)
     Oral concentrate (16 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with less than 0.1% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     The tablet forms of this medication should be stored at room temperature
       in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  The oral concentrate
       form of this medication may be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly
       closed, light-resistant container.  If the oral concentrate turns
       slightly yellow, the medicine is still effective and can be used.
       However, if it changes color markedly or has particles floating in it,
       it should not be used; rather, it should be discarded down the sink.
       This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Perphenazine is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of
mental illness, such as psychosis, the manic phase of manic-depressive
illness, and severe behavioral problems in children.  This medication is
thought to relieve the symptoms of mental illness by blocking certain
chemicals involved with the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach irritation, you can take the tablet form of this
medication with a meal or with a glass of water or milk (unless your doctor
directs you to do otherwise).
     The oral concentrate form of this medication should be measured carefully
with the dropper provided, then added to four ounces (1/2 cup) or more of
water, milk, or a carbonated beverage or to applesauce or pudding immediately
prior to administration.  To prevent possible loss of effectiveness, the
medication should not be diluted in tea, coffee, or apple juice.
     Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of this
medication from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, at least an hour
should separate doses of one of these medicines and perphenazine.
     If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, then return
to your regular dosing schedule.  If it is almost time for the next dose,
however, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule.  Do not
double the next dose (unless your doctor directs you to do so).
     The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or
mental symptoms may not become apparent for two weeks after you start to take
it.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, jitteriness, menstrual
irregularities, nasal congestion, restlessness, vomiting, or weight gain.  As
your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear.
     Perphenazine can also cause discoloration of the urine--a harmless side
effect.  The urine may become red, pink, or red-brown.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising.  Do this by pushing
one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
breast enlargement (in both sexes); chest pain; convulsions; darkened skin;
difficulty in swallowing or breathing; fainting; fever; impotence; involuntary
movements of the face, mouth, jaw, or tongue; palpitations; rash; sleep
disorders; sore throat; tremors; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or
bruising; visual disturbances; weakness; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Perphenazine interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) depressants, such as
barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and
pain medications or with tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. Perphenazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
     3. The side effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
propranolol, phenytoin, and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased by this
medication.  At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use
of an MAO inhibitor.
     4. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
of this medication.
     Before starting to take perphenazine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to perphenazine or other phenothiazine
tranquilizers (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine,
prochlorperazine, promazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and
triflupromazine) or to loxapine.
     * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or if you now have
or have ever had blood disease, bone marrow disease, brain disease, breast
cancer, blockage in the urinary or digestive tracts, drug-induced depression,
epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or
circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic
ulcers, or an enlarged prostate gland.
     * Tell your doctor about any recent exposure to a pesticide or an
insecticide.  Perphenazine may increase the side effects from the exposure.
     * To prevent oversedation, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
taking this medication.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating dangerous
machinery.  Be careful on stairs and avoid getting up suddenly from a lying or
sitting position.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking
an antiparkinsonism drug.  Discuss this with your doctor.  This medication can
decrease sweating and heat release from the body.  You should, therefore, try
not to get overheated (avoid exercising strenuously in hot weather and taking
hot baths, showers, and saunas).
     * Do not stop taking this medication suddenly.  If the drug is stopped
abruptly, you may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, headache,
increased heart rate, insomnia, tremors, or a worsening of your condition.
Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
     * If you are planning to have a myelogram or any other procedure in which
dye will be injected into your spinal cord, tell your doctor that you are
taking this medication.
     * Avoid spilling the oral concentrate form on your skin or clothing; it
may cause redness and irritation of the skin.
     * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter
(nonprescription) medication for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy,
asthma, or sinus problems without first checking with your doctor.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Small amounts of this
medication cross the placenta.  Although there are reports of safe use of this
drug during pregnancy, there are also reports of liver disease and tremors in
newborn infants whose mothers received this type of medication close to term.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
this medication pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the
nursing infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
