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NERVOUS SYSTEM › PSYCHOLEPTICS › ANTIPSYCHOTICS › Phenothiazines with piperazine structure
perphenazine
N05AB03
Forms & Strengths
- Tablets: 2mg, 4mg, 8mg, 16mg
- Oral solution: 16mg/5mL
- Injectable: 5mg/mL
Adult Dosing
- Schizophrenia: 4-16mg PO tid
- Anxiety: 4-8mg PO tid
- Nausea and vomiting: 8-16mg IM or IV, once
- Severe nausea and vomiting: 8-16mg IM q6-8h prn
Pediatric Dosing
- 6-12 years with schizophrenia: 1-2mg PO tid
- Nausea and vomiting (older than 6 months): 0.14-0.25mg/kg/dose PO tid
Indications
- Treatment of schizophrenia
- Treatment of anxiety disorders
- Control of severe nausea and vomiting
Mechanism of Action
- Blocks dopamine receptors in brain, decreasing psychotic symptoms
- Blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors, decreasing vascular tone
- Blocks serotonin receptors, contributing to antiemetic effects
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to perphenazine or other phenothiazines
- Pediatric patients under 6 months
- Cordotomy patients and in comatose or severely depressed states
Adverse Reactions
- Hypotension
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Urinary retention
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
- Hyperthermia
Drug Interactions
- Increased sedation with CNS depressants
- Increased hypotension with antihypertensives
- Contraindication with MAOIs
- Interaction with SSRIs, increasing risk of serotonin syndrome
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use