Sign inBefore taking perphenazine
Before taking perphenazine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you are over 65 years of age.
- If you have heart or breathing problems.
- If you have liver, kidney or prostate problems.
- If you have a blood disorder.
- If you suffer from Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, or depression.
- If you have ever had jaundice.
- If you have an underactive thyroid gland.
- If you have myasthenia gravis (a condition causing muscle weakness) or phaeochromocytoma (a growth on the adrenal glands).
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
- If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
How to take perphenazine
- Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Take perphenazine exactly as your doctor has told you.
- Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Do not take an antacid or indigestion remedy at the same time as taking perphenazine.
- Try to take perphenazine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Keep your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want to review this treatment regularly.
- Perphenazine may cause drowsiness. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking perphenazine as it could increase these feelings of drowsiness.
- If you have been taking perphenazine for more than a year or so, stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually if this is necessary.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with perphenazine.
- Perphenazine may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen that protects against UVA light and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, especially in strong sunlight or until you know how your skin reacts. Do not use sunbeds.
Can perphenazine cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects | What can I do if I experience this |
| Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If headache continues speak with your doctor |
| Constipation | Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. If constipation continues to be a problem speak with your pharmacist or doctor |
| Dry mouth | Try chewing sugar-free gum or sweets |
| Shakiness, abnormal face and body movements, restlessness, uncontrollable movements of the tongue, face and jaw, mood changes, trouble sleeping, confusion, and problems passing urine | Speak with your doctor as soon as possible if you suffer from any of these problems |
How to store perphenazine
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Fentazin® 2mg Tablets, Goldshield plc, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated April 2010, accessed February 2011.
- British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)