Perphenazine (Dosage)

Perphenazine is a first generation antipsychotic with antidopaminergic effect, stimulates production of prolactin, antiemetic, anticholinergic, sedative and alpha-adrenergic blocker.

The drug is a neuroleptic high-potency antipsychotic. Perphenazine has less sedative power than clopromazine and higher frequency of extrapyramidal symptoms.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Do not administer in patients with allergy to phenothiazines.

Do not administer in situations of CNS (central nervous system) depression, coma and pheochromocytoma, due to risk of exacerbation and hypotension.

CAUTIONS

Cardiac failure, diabetes, asthma or COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), epilepsy, depression, narrow angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention, renal failure, hepatic failure, parkinsonism, exposure to extreme temperatures, risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), hepatotoxicity in children (Reye's syndrome).

Perphenazine prolongs the QTc interval with risk of occurrence of ""Torsade de Pointes"".

Not recommended for children under 12 years. In the elderly, there is a greater predisposition to orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects and tardive dyskinesia.

SIDE EFFECTS

Very common: drowsiness and sedation.

Dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, pseudoparkinsonism, dystonia and photosensitivity.

PHARMACOLOGIC INTERACTIONS

Intake of perphenazine increases the toxicity of alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants (ACT) and SSRI antidepressants (such as fluoxetine and paroxetine).

Perphenazine decreases the effect of antidiabetics due to its hyperglycemic action.

The effect of perphenazine is diminished by disulfiram.

Mutual antagonism with levodopa.

BRAND NAME

• Decentan ®