Hi BethRags. Yes, I briefly took Trilafon (perphanazine). I specifically remember taking 12 mg per day, but I forget how it was split up. 6/6 or 4/4/4? I remember when I was put on it, it was for mania, and I had also been psychotic, at times. It worked beautifully! I mean, it really kicked butt and I felt clear-headed and motivated, in a very reasonable way! It's possible that it could have potentially eventually replaced the Geodon I had also been taking. The Trilafon (perphanazine) replaced a medication called Navane (thiothixene), which is also a 1st generation anti-psychotic. The Navane (at 10 mg/day) was helpful, but not as helpful at controlling my moods as the Trilafon (12 mg/day). I had only been taken off the Navane because I developed a rash.

I am VERY reluctant to write anything bad about Trilafon, because I was only on it for about a month or so. During that month period, I gained about 9 pounds. I know that sounds bad, and I confess I blamed Trilafon at the time, but I can't be certain it was the bona fide cause of the gain. I have known others who took Trilafon and did not gain any notable amount of weight on it. It turned out that after a trip to a dermatologist, it was determined that Navane did not cause the rash I mentioned, after all. I was given a cream, and the rash disappeared. I asked to be put back on Navane, because Navane was 100% weight friendly for me. My psychiatrist complied with my wishes. Unfortunately, it was only a short time before Navane caused me to experience a dystonia, something Trilafon did not do...at least while I was on it. I did not get a rash again.

Would I give Trilafon a second chance if my mania was out of control? I think I would. It's possible that it would not make me gain weight. I wouldn't know unless I tried again. Over the years, I have found that some weight gain during the course of a month is common for me, and likely not always related to a medication. I can actually gain and lose 4 lbs in a few days, depending on many factors.