	Current customer? Log In

Home Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath

Homeopathy Sexual Health Aromatherapy Pet Care

Gifts On Sale Kosher Organic Learning Center

Quick Order Form»

Departments

Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath

More Ways to Shop

Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors

Free Catalog

MotherNature.com's Catalog Is Here! Click Here to Get Your Free Copy Today.

Newsletter Sign Up

Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!

Library Home > Safetychecker by Drug Name > Perphenazine

PERPHENAZINE

Visit The Healthy Living Bookshelf:

21 Online Health Books From Rodale

Combination drug: Triavil®, Etrafon®

Perphenazine is used to treat symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders, as well as severe nausea and vomiting in adults. It is in a class of drugs known as phenothiazine neuroleptics.

Safetychecker Summary for Perphenazine
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

May be Beneficial: Side effect reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.	Coenzyme Q10*
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.	Lithium*
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details.	Vitamin C*
Depletion or interference	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Lithium
Lithium is a mineral that may be present in some supplements and is also used in large amounts to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder (manic depression). Taking lithium medication at the same time as phenothiazine drugs might increase the risk of nerve damage resulting in delirium and seizures.¹ ² Controlled research is needed to determine whether combining perphenazine and with the comparatively small amounts of lithium found in non-prescription supplements might cause similar side effects. Until more information is available, people taking perphenazine should exercise caution when supplementing with products that contain lithium.

Coenzyme Q10
Phenothiazine drugs similar to perphenazine can cause changes in heart activity in some people, which might be prevented by supplementing with coenzyme Q10.³ ⁴ Therefore, some health practitioners may recommend coenzyme Q10 supplementation to people taking perphenazine.

Vitamin C
Taking phenothiazine drugs can stop menstruation in some women. Two women taking phenothiazines similar to perphenazine began menstruating following supplementation with 6 grams of vitamin C each day.⁵ Controlled studies are needed to determine whether vitamin C supplementation might benefit women specifically taking perphenazine who are experiencing menstrual changes. Some health practitioners recommend vitamin C supplementation to women who stop menstruating while taking perphenazine. Vitamin C might also enhance the effectiveness of neuroleptic drugs such as perphenazine in the treatment of schizophrenia. One uncontrolled study showed that 10 of 13 individuals experienced a reduction in disorganized thoughts, hallucinations, and suspicious thoughts when 8 grams of vitamin C was added to their daily drug therapy.⁶ Controlled studies are needed to show whether people taking perphenazine for schizophrenia might benefit from vitamin C supplementation.

Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds

Alcohol
Taking perphenazine and alcohol together may enhance the side effects of alcohol, such as drowsiness and dizziness, and might increase the risk of suicide.⁷ Consequently, people who are taking perphenazine should avoid alcohol.

References:

1. Drug Evaluations Subscription, Chicago, American Medical Association, Vol I, Section 3, Chapter 2, Winter, 1994.

2. Spring GK. Neurotoxicity with combined use of lithium and thioridazine. J Clin Psychiatry 1979;40:135–8.

3. Kishi T, Makino K, Okamoto T, et al. In Yamamura Y, Folkers K, Ito Y, eds. Biochemical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Volume 2. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press, 1980, 139–57.

4. Werbach MR. Foundations of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, Inc., 1997, 212.

5. Kanofsky JD, Kay SR, Lindenmayer JP, Seifter E. Ascorbic acid action in neuroleptic-associated amenorrhea. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1989;9:388–9 (letter).

6. Beauclair L, Vinogradov S, Riney SJ, et al. An adjunctive role for ascorbic acid in the treatment of schizophrenia? J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:282–3.

7. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 2842–4.

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.

Learn more about the authors of Safetychecker.

The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2003.

Home | Shop | Library | About Us | Security & Privacy Policy

Ordering Help

Shipping & Returns

Have Questions?

Other Services

Accept Credit Cards Online

Order By Phone 1-800-439-5506

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information about each product is taken from the labels of the products or from the manufacturer's advertising material. MotherNature.com is not responsible for any statements or claims that various manufacturers make about their products. We cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or product formulation changes. You should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.All discounts are taken from suggested retail prices.