About perphenazine

Perphenazine belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines and is thought to work by blocking the effects of a chemical in the brain called dopamine. It is used in schizophrenia (a mental illness with symptoms such as hearing, seeing or sensing things that are not real) and to help in the short-term management of anxiety or agitation.

Perphenazine can also be used to treat conditions not associated with mental health problems, such as feeling or being sick.

Before 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.

Important: If you experience 'flu-like' symptoms such as muscle stiffness, high temperature, abnormal paleness, sweating, a very fast heartbeat, extreme drowsiness or confusion, then contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital immediately.

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