PERPHENAZINE & AMITRIPTYLINE |
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PERPHENAZINE & AMITRIPTYLINE
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Etrafon
PMS Levazine
Triavil
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Tranquilizer (phenothiazine),
antidepressant
USES
Decreases nausea, vomiting, hiccups.
Gradually relieves, but doesn't cure, symptoms of depression,
anxiety, agitation.
Pain relief (sometimes).
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or liquid -- Swallow with liquid.
When to take:
At the same time each day.
If you forget a dose:
Bedtime dose -- If you forget your once-a-day bedtime dose, don't
take it more than 3 hours late. If more than 3 hours, wait for
next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Suppresses brain's vomiting center.
Suppresses brain centers that control abnormal emotions and
behavior.
Probably affects part of brain that controls messages between
nerve cells.
Time lapse before drug works:
Nausea and vomiting--1 hour or less.
Nervous and mental disorders--4-6 weeks.
Begins in 1 to 2 weeks. May require 4 to 6 weeks for maximum
benefit.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Stupor, convulsions, hallucinations, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
If the child is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-
mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage
and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make the child
vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take the child to nearest
emergency facility.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
Seizures; irregular Discontinue. Seek
heartbeat; weak pulse; emergency treatment.
fainting; muscle spasms;
uncontrolled muscle
movements of tongue,
face and other muscles
(neuroleptic malignant
syndrome, rare).
Common:
Headache, Discontinue. Call
constipation, doctor right away.
nausea, vomiting,
irregular heartbeat,
drowsiness.
Insomnia, dry mouth, Continue. Call doctor
"sweet tooth," when convenient.
decreased sweating,
runny nose,
constipation.
Infrequent:
Hallucinations, Discontinue. Call
dizziness, tremor, doctor right away.
blurred vision, eye pain,
vomiting, inflamed
tongue, joint pain,
back pain, hiccups.
Frequent urination, Continue. Call doctor
diminished sex drive, when convenient.
breast swelling,
menstrual irregularities,
nasal congestion.
Rare:
Rash; itchy skin; Discontinue. Call
jaundice; change in doctor right away.
vision; sore throat,
fever, mouth sores;
abdominal pain;
constipation.
Fatigue, weakness. Continue. Call doctor when
convenient.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any phenothiazine, tricyclic
antidepressant.
You have a blood or bone-marrow disease, glaucoma, prostate
trouble.
You drink alcohol.
You have had a heart attack within 6 weeks.
You have taken MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks.
Patient is younger than 12.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have asthma, emphysema or other lung disorder.
If you have an enlarged prostate, heart disease, high blood
pressure, stomach or intestinal problems, overactive thyroid,
liver disease.
If you take non-prescription ulcer medicine, asthma medicine or
amphetamines.
If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Infants & children:
Don't give to children younger than 12.
Prolonged use:
May lead to tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement of jaws,
lips, tongue, chewing).
Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or
sunlamp. Skin may remain sensitive for 3 months after
discontinuing.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you
drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes,
such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine,
narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Nervous and mental disorders--Don't discontinue without
doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though
symptoms diminish or disappear.
Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a
long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
No age-related problems expected.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
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Anticholinergics |
Increased |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
anticholinergic effect, increased |
|
sedation. |
Anticoagulants (oral, |
Increased anticoagulant |
see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
Antihistamines |
Increased antihistamine |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
Appetite |
Decreased suppressant |
suppressants |
effect. |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
Barbiturates |
Decreased antidepressant |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. Increased sedation. |
Cimetidine |
Possible increased effect and |
|
toxicity of perphenazine and |
|
amitriptyline. |
Clonidine |
Possible decreased clonidine |
|
effect. |
Dronabinol |
Increased effect of both drugs. |
Ethchlorvynol |
Delirium. |
Guanabenz |
Possible decreased guanabenz |
|
effect. |
Guanethidine |
Decreased guanethidine effect. |
Guanfacine |
Possible decreased guanfacine |
|
effect. |
Levodopa |
Decreased levodopa effect. |
Lithium |
Possible decreased seizure |
|
threshold. |
MAO inhibitors |
Fever, delirium, |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
convulsions. |
Methyldopa |
Possible decreased methyldopa |
|
effect. |
Methylphenidate |
Possible increased antidepressant |
|
effect. |
Mind-altering |
Increased effect of |
drugs (see |
mind-altering drugs. |
Drugs Glossary) |
Narcotics |
Increased |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
narcotic effect and dangerous |
|
sedation. |
Phenothiazines |
Possible increased |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
antidepressant effect. |
Procainamide |
Possible irregular heartbeat. |
Procarbazine |
Increased sedation. |
Quinidine |
Impaired heart function. Dangerous |
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mixture. |
Sedatives |
Dangerous |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
oversedation. |
Sympathomimetics |
Increased sympathomimetics |
(see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
Thyroid hormones |
Irregular heartbeat. |
Tranquilizers (other, |
Increased tranquilizer |
see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Marijuana: |
Excessive drowsiness. Avoid. |
Tobacco: |
None expected. |
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