Perphenazine/Amitriptyline (By mouth)
per-FEN-a-zeen, am-i-TRIP-ti-leen hye-droe-KLOR-ide
Treats anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Drug classes
Tricyclic Antidepressant/Phenothiazine Combination (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Perphenazine and amitriptyline combination is used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions.
This combination is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not take this medicine if you have used a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the past 14 days.
Some medicines and foods can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any other medicine that makes you sleepy, such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, or narcotic pain medicine.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to perphenazine or amitriptyline, or if you have a bone marrow disorder.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, liver disease, epilepsy, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or a history of urinary retention.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Tardive dyskinesia, a disorder that causes involuntary movements, and that could be permanent Neuroleptic malignant syndrome Sensitivity to hot and cold temperaturesFor some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.
This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar level.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness
Feeling more excited or energetic than usual, racing thoughts
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness
Jerky muscle movements that you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
Severe stomach pain, constipation, vomiting
Trouble breathing
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Blurred vision
Constipation
Dizziness or drowsiness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Duo-Vil 2-10, Duo-Vil 2-25, Etrafon
There may be other brand names for this medicine.