This medication is used in the management of psychotic disorders such as agitated depression and schizophrenia. It also is used as a tranquilizer to help agitated and disruptive behaviour and for the management of severe nausea and vomiting. It works by affecting the balance of certain chemicals in the brain.

Your doctor may choose to use this medication for other conditions not listed here. If you're unsure why you are taking this medication, contact your doctor.

The recommended dose varies widely up to a maximum of 24 mg daily, depending on the condition being treated and the circumstances.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

2 mg: Each round, white, film-coated tablet, identified "2", contains perphenazine 2 mg.

4 mg: Each round, white, film-coated tablet, identified "4", contains perphenazine 4 mg.

8 mg: Each round, white, film-coated tablet, identified "8", contains perphenazine 8 mg.

16 mg: Each round, white, film-coated tablet, identified "16", contains perphenazine 16 mg.

Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cornstarch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 3350 (carbowax), and titanium dioxide.

This drug should not be used by anyone who:

• is comatose or non-functional
• is receiving large doses of central nervous system depressants (barbiturates, alcohol, analgesics, or antihistamines)
• has abnormal blood function
• has bone marrow depression
• has liver damage
• is allergic or hypersensitive to any of the components of the drug
• has or may have subcortical brain damage

The most common side effects with perphenazine use are:

• drowsiness (usually during the first 2 weeks)
• dizziness upon rising from a sitting or lying position
• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• nasal congestion
• constipation
• impaired urination
• changes in menstrual cycles

Other more serious but less common side effects are discussed in the section on warnings.

A significant rise in body temperature, not otherwise explained, may suggest intolerance to perphenazine, in which case use of the drug should be discontinued.

Seizures: Perphenazine can lower the seizure threshold in certain individual. It should be used with caution by people in alcohol withdrawal or with seizure disorders.

Sun: People being treated with phenothiazines such as perphenazine should avoid undue exposure to sunlight.

Tardive dyskinesia: Involuntary movements (tardive dyskinesia) may develop in people treated with antipsychotic drugs such as perphenazine. Although this seems to be most frequent among the elderly, especially elderly women, this cannot be used to predict who will develop this syndrome.

Both the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase as the length of treatment and the total dose of perphenazine increases.

If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear, discontinuation of the drug should be considered. However, some people may require treatment despite the presence of the syndrome.

Occupational hazards: People who take perphenazine are warned that it may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a car or operating machinery.

Pregnancy: Perphenazine should not be used by pregnant women prior to labor unless, in the judgment of the doctor, the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Breast-feeding: Perphenazine is excreted rapidly in breast milk and could cause serious side effects in the breast-fed infant. Nursing mothers should make a decision with their doctor whether to stop taking the drug or stop breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of perphenazine for children under 12 years of age have not been established.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, decongestants, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.