Trilafon

Generic name: Perphenazine

Usage of Trilafon

Trilafon is a phenothiazine (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeen) anti-psychotic medicine.

Trilafon is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It is also used to control severe nausea and vomiting.

Trilafon may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Trilafon side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

High doses or long-term use of perphenazine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use Trilafon, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

Trilafon may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

uncontrolled muscle movements in your arms or legs, or your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

worsening symptoms of schizophrenia;

confusion, paranoia, feeling restless or excited;

seizure (convulsions);

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);

little or no urinating;

slow heart rate, weak pulse, weak or shallow breathing;

low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed; or

severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats.

Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, tremors, and drowsiness may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of Trilafon may include:

mild dizziness or drowsiness;

blurred vision, headache;

sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;

increased sweating or urination;

dry mouth or stuffy nose;

breast swelling or discharge; or

mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Trilafon

You should not use Trilafon if you are allergic to any phenothiazine (such as Trilafon, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, o thioridazine), or if you have:

liver disease;

brain damage;

bone marrow depression;

a blood cell disorder (such as low platelets or low red or white blood cell counts); or

if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy.

Trilafon may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

severe or untreated depression;

heart disease or high blood pressure;

kidney disease;

severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem;

seizures;

Parkinson's disease;

breast cancer;

adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);

enlarged prostate or urination problems;

low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia);

glaucoma; or

a serious side effect while using Trilafon or another phenothiazine.

Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or to insecticide poisons while you are taking Trilafon.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How to use Trilafon

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine.

Do not stop using Trilafon suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or tremors. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

You should not use Trilafon 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.

Trilafon is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

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.

What other drugs will affect Trilafon

Taking Trilafon with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many drugs can affect Trilafon. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.