MedicineNet.com

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth, usually 1 to 4 times daily, as directed by your doctor. If you take it only once a day, take it at bedtime to help reduce daytime sleepiness.Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may direct you to take a low dose at first, gradually increasing the dose to lower the chance of side effects (such as drowsiness, dry mouth, muscle spasms). Follow your doctor's directions carefully. The manufacturer recommends that you do not take more than 16 milligrams of perphenazine or 200 milligrams of amitriptyline per day.Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Muscle aches, headaches, and trouble sleeping may also occur. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms immediately.This medication may not work right away. You may see some benefit within a week. However, it may take up to 4 weeks before you see the full effect. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens (such as increased anxiety, your feelings of sadness get worse, or you have thoughts of suicide).

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section.Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, tiredness, weight gain, or trouble urinating may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.To relieve dry mouth, suck on hard candy or ice chips, chew gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.Perphenazine may cause muscle/nervous system problems (extrapyramidal symptoms-EPS). Your doctor may prescribe another medication to decrease these side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects: drooling/trouble swallowing, mask-like expression of the face, restlessness/constant need to move, shaking (tremor), shuffling walk, stiff muscles, severe muscle spasms/cramping (such as twisting neck, arching back, eyes rolling up).Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, persistent heartburn.Perphenazine may cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any uncontrollable movements such as lip smacking, mouth puckering, tongue thrusting, chewing, or unusual arm/leg movements.In rare cases, perphenazine may increase your level of a certain substance made by the body (prolactin). For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when this medication is used with certain other drugs (see Drug Interactions section). This medication may also cause a rare serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). These 2 conditions can have some of the same symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms: sudden mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations), unexplained fever, fast heartbeat, increased sweating, widened pupils, muscle stiffness/twitching, loss of coordination, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden vision changes, confusion), signs of pneumonia from aspiration (such as cough, fever, trouble breathing), chest/jaw/left arm pain, severe dizziness/fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.