Trilafon

The active ingredient in Trilafon is perphenazine. Perphenazine is a typical first-generation antipsychotic drug. It is thought to treat schizophrenia, nausea, and vomiting by blocking various neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, histamine, and acetylcholine.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Trilafon. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Trilafon:

• You will require frequent medical examinations.
• If you need surgery, tell your surgeon that you are currently on this medication.
• It's advisable to avoid alcohol while taking perphenazine. Drinking alcohol can worsen tiredness and dizziness, increasing the risk of falling. Doing so may potentially exacerbate mood-related symptoms.

The most common side effects of perphenazine include:

• Drowsiness.
• Insomnia.
• Dry mouth.
• Blurred vision.
• Constipation.
• Weight gain or weight loss.
• Abnormal movements (extrapyramidal symptoms).
• Low blood pressure and dizziness when standing up (orthostatic hypotension).

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Trilafon. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is characterised by involuntary movements such as lip smacking, eye blinking, tongue protrusion, and grimace.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is characterised by a high fever, rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, and disorientation.
• Serious infection symptoms include fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, and feeling light-headed.
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviour in depressed persons.
• Seizures.
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellowish in color (jaundice).

These are not all of the possible side effects of Trilafon. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Trilafon, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• Liver disease.
• Brain damage.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Bone marrow depression.
• A blood cell problem (e.g., low platelets, red or white blood cell count).
• Severe or untreated depression.
• Cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.
• Kidney disease.
• Severe asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory issues.
• Seizures.
• Parkinson’s disease.
• Breast cancer.
• Adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).
• Enlarged prostate or urinary issues.
• Low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcaemia).
• Glaucoma.
• If you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or to insecticides.

Boxed Warning

Patients with dementia-related psychosis who are treated with antipsychotic medicines are more likely to die, according to short-term controlled trials. Deaths looked to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia).

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

• Coma.
• Take heavy amounts of sedative drugs.
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
• Current blood disorders, bone marrow issues, or liver damage.
• Certain cases involving suspected or confirmed brain injury.
• Are allergic to perphenazine or other phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, or thioridazine.

Trilafon (perphenazine) may begin to relieve symptoms such as agitation, nausea, or anxiety within a few days, but for diseases like schizophrenia, noticeable improvements typically take several days to a few weeks, with complete benefits often apparent after 4-6 weeks of constant treatment.

When Trilafon is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, protriptyline, or nortriptyline.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline.
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine or venlafaxine.
• Any other medication that can cause dizziness and drowsiness, such as prescription pain medicines (opioids), barbiturates, and medicines for sleep or anxiety.
• Anticholinergics, which include antihistamines and medications used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems.
• Other antipsychotics like haloperidol, quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone.

Trilafon is available in the following dosage forms and strengths: 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 16 mg oral tablets.

Schizophrenia: The normal initial dose varies from 4 mg to 8 mg taken orally three times daily. People who are hospitalized for schizophrenia are often given 8 mg to 16 mg orally two to four times per day. Your doctor will adjust the dose to the lowest level necessary to treat your symptoms.

Nausea and vomiting: The normal dosage ranges from 8 mg to 16 mg per day, divided into smaller doses throughout the day.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Mayne Pharma is the company that manufactures Trilafon.

There are several lower-cost generic versions of this medication. Brand-name Trilafon is not available.

Do not discontinue taking perphenazine without consulting your doctor. If you abruptly discontinue taking perphenazine, you may develop withdrawal symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are or become pregnant. Taking an antipsychotic medication in the last three months of pregnancy may result in breathing, feeding, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Taking Trilafon is generally not recommended if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed.