Type of medicine: antipsychotic; antidepressant; tranquilizer
Generic and brand names: perphenazine and amitriptyline, oral
This medicine is a combination of 2 drugs. It is taken by mouth to treat anxiety and depression. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you have taken an MAO inhibitor antidepressant within the past 2 weeks.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.
You may take this medicine with food or right after meals to lessen stomach upset.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: restlessness, coma, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, uncontrolled muscle movements in tongue, jaw, or neck, hallucinations, trouble urinating, cold skin, seizures.
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your provider about this.
This medicine may take several weeks before you feel its full effect. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy for several hours or overnight. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly from sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or confused. Contact your provider immediately if you have these symptoms.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may cause dry mouth. Sucking hard candy, taking sips of water, or chewing sugarless gum may help.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever; loss of bladder control or trouble urinating; trouble breathing; irregular heartbeat; severe drowsiness; fainting; uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, jaw, arms or legs; heavy sweating; blurred vision; shuffling walk; tremor; worsening depression; thoughts of suicide; unusual thoughts or behavior.
Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, headache, weakness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, change in appetite, weight gain, sensitivity to sunlight, constipation, change in sex drive, vision problems.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
