Perphenazine Description

Generic Name : PERPHENAZINE

Pronunciation : (per fen' a zeen)

Trade Name(s) : Siquil, Orap, Neurap

Why it is prescribed: Perphenazine is a tranquilizer used to treat emotional and mental conditions.

When it is to be taken: Perphenazine usually is taken two to four times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand.

How it should be taken:
1. Perphenazine comes in regular tablets and oral liquid.
2. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.
3. The oral liquid concentrate comes in a bottle with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose.
4. Do not allow the liquid concentrate to touch your skin or clothing; it can cause skin irritation.

Special Instruction :
1. Perphenazine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machiney until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Although perphenazine is not habit-forming, do not stop taking it abruptly, especially if you have been taking it for a long time.
3. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
4. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally, especially when you first take this drug.
5. You also should have eye examinations periodically if you take perphenazine for a long time.
6. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to take the next dose, take only the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies.
2. Drowsiness. This effect usually disappears after you have taken perphenazine for a few weeks.
3. Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms; fine worm-like tongue movements; rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements; slow or difficult speech ; difficulty swallowing; tremors; shuffling walk; drooling; inability to sit still; slow , jerky movements; sore throat; fever ; skin rash; yellow skin; weakness; blurred vision; constipation; difficulty urinating. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take perphenazine, tell your doctor if you ever had a bad reaction to insulin, shock therapy, or any other tranquilizer or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you become pregnant, notify your doctor promptly.
2. Before you take perphenazine, tell your doctor if you have heart, liver or kidney disease; glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; difficulty urinating; asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or lung disease; or a history of seizures.
3. Before taking perphenazine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially lithium, seizure medication, sedatives, sleeping pills, pain medication, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and medication for depression, Parkinson's disease, hay fever, allergies, or colds. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor that you take perphenazine.
4. Perphenazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Stay out of the sun when possible and wear protective clothing, a sunscreen preparation, and sunglasses. Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold.
5. Perphenazine decreases your ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in overheating or severe chilling. Do not swim in extremely cold water.
6. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by perphenazine. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature or under refrigeration.
3. Do not allow the liquid concentrate to freeze.