Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Trilafon (Perphenazine) Side Effects By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 24, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD LinkedIn Twitter Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print PhotoAlto / Frederic Cirou / Getty Images The brand name Trilafon has been discontinued in the U.S., but generic alternatives may be available. Trilafon (perphenazine) is an antipsychotic in a class called phenothiazines that is approved for use in the management of schizophrenia. It is also sometimes prescribed off-label for bipolar disorder and the management of severe nausea and vomiting. Perphenazine is infrequently prescribed today and has been largely replaced by lower-potency, second-generation antipsychotics. Cautions to Take When Using Trilafon Trilafon is a conventional antipsychotic, also known as a typical antipsychotic, which means it is among the first generation of antipsychotic medications developed in the 1950s. This means it has more, and potentially more serious, side effects than newer, atypical antipsychotics. Still, it can be a good choice for treatment for certain people. Because of the potential side effects that may not go away after treatment, it's important to discuss with your doctor how the benefits of taking Trilafon may outweigh the risks. Your doctor will likely monitor you fairly closely if you are on Trilafon and decrease or stop your dose if you are showing signs of some of these negative effects. Common Side Effects of Trilafon Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects don't go away or are bothersome: ConstipationDecreased sweatingDizzinessDrowsinessDryness of mouthNasal congestion Less Common Side Effects Other side effects that are less common that may occur are: Changes in menstrual periodDecreased sexual abilityIncreased sensitivity of skin to sunlight (skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of skin, or severe sunburn)Swelling or pain in breastsUnusual secretion of milkWeight gain Serious Side Effects If you have any of these serious side effects, call your doctor immediately. They include: Tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder, that can occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs.Severe muscle stiffnessFeverUnusual tiredness or weaknessFast heartbeatDifficult or fast breathingIncreased sweatingLoss of bladder controlSeizures Decreased thirstConfusionEye pain Fast heartbeat or irregular pulseRash or hivesHigh or low blood pressureTight throatVision lossSwelling in your eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legsItchingUnusually pale skinUnusual tiredness or weakness The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning on all antipsychotic drugs, including Trilafon, due to the increased risk of death in older adults (those aged 65 and older) with dementia-related psychosis. Side Effects of Withdrawal Potential side effects of withdrawal from Trilafon include: Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Stomach pain Trembling of the fingers and hands Tardive dyskinesia symptoms, such as lip-smacking or puckering, puffing of cheeks, rapid or fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of arms or legs If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to call your doctor. Other Medication Options for Bipolar Disorder Medications that are typically used for bipolar disorder may include: Mood Stabilizers: These include medications like Lithobid (lithium), Depakote (divalproex sodium), Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Lamictal (lamotrigine), and are prescribed to help balance your moods. Antipsychotics: Newer choices include Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Abilify (aripiprazole) and Seroquel (quetiapine). An antipsychotic may be added to your treatment plan if you are still having mania and depressive symptoms. Antidepressants: Your doctor may put you on an antidepressant to help minimize the effects of your depressive symptoms. Typical choices include Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Lexapro (escitalopram), Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion). Anti-anxiety medications: These medications can be prescribed to help with anxiety and sleeping difficulties. 2 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Tardy M, Huhn M, Engel RR, Leucht S. Perphenazine versus low-potency first-generation antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(10):CD009369. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009369.pub2 Schneider LS, Dagerman KS, Insel P. Risk of death with atypical antipsychotic drug treatment for dementia: meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. JAMA. 2005;294(15):1934-1943. doi:10.1001/jama.294.15.1934 Additional Reading Bipolar Disorder: Treatment and Drugs. Mayo Clinic (2015). Perphenazine. Medline Plus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (2011). PERPHENAZINE-Perphenazine Tablet, Film Coated. Daily Med, U.S. National Library of Medicine (2015). Phenothiazine (Oral Route, Parenteral Route, Rectal Route). Mayo Clinic (2016). By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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