Perphenazine

Perphenazine is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as severe nausea and vomiting. It works by lessening or blocking the effects of a certain chemical in the brain. The medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken two to four times a day. Side effects with perphenazine can include drowsiness, unusual body movements, and blurred vision.

 

What Is Perphenazine?

Perphenazine (Trilafon®) is a prescription medicine known as a "typical antipsychotic" that has been licensed to treat schizophrenia. It is also approved to treat severe nausea and vomiting.
 

Who Makes Perphenazine?

Perphenazine was originally manufactured by Schering-Plough Corporation. Although brand-name perphenazine is no longer being made, generic perphenazine is still available and is made by several different companies.
 
(Click What Is Perphenazine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does Perphenazine Work?

Perphenazine belongs to a group of medications called typical (or first-generation) antipsychotic medications. In particular, it is part of a group of medications called phenothiazines. It is not entirely known how the drug works. However, it is known that it blocks or lessens the effects of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that may be elevated in people with schizophrenia.
 
Perphenazine is not a cure for schizophrenia. It only helps to control symptoms (see Symptoms of Schizophrenia).
 
Since dopamine can activate the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting, perphenazine can treat severe nausea and vomiting by lessening the effects of dopamine in the brain.
 
(Perphenazine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;