Trilafon (Perphenazine)

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.

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.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any phenothiazine (TRILAFON, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, Compazine, Phenergan, Mellaril, Thorazine, and others), 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 is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. TRILAFON may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

To make sure TRILAFON is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• severe or untreated depression;
• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• kidney disease;
• severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem;
• a history of seizures;
• Parkinson's disease;
• past or present breast cancer;
• adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
• enlarged prostate or urination problems;
• low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia);
• glaucoma; or
• if you have ever had 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 plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking TRILAFON, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.

TRILAFON can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these signs of a serious movement disorder:

• tremors or shaking in your arms or legs;
• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement); or
• any new or unusual muscle movements you cannot control.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;
• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• seizure (convulsions);
• extreme drowsiness or dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;
• severe bloating or stomach cramps;
• little or no urinating;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, weak or shallow breathing;
• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing; or
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Common side effects 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.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of TRILAFON.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. TRILAFON can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking TRILAFON with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with 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 medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with TRILAFON.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Do not take this medicine in larger amounts than recommended, or for longer than prescribed. High doses or long-term use of TRILAFON can cause a serious muscle movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you take TRILAFON, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in older adults, especially women.

While using TRILAFON, you may need frequent blood tests.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using TRILAFON. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using TRILAFON suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using TRILAFON.

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line. An overdose of TRILAFON can be fatal.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.