Ever take perphenazine/trilafon?

Hi there. I am rather new to this forum. However, I'm kinda looking for some feedback/info on a medication. I've just been prescribed perphenazine (trilafon) by a new psychiatrist. A little bit about my history: I've been prescribed just about every SSRI/SSNRI out there (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Effexor, Lexapro, now Cymbalta), plus a handful of other things (Seroquel, Klonopin, some sleep meds). The only problem is, with the exception of Klonopin and diferent sleeping meds, the longest I've ever taken anything is 2 mos. That's either due to side effects (and then I haven't taken it past 1 or 2 weeks) or due to me not knowing if it works or not. (Or I start to feel "different" and it freaks me out.) I don't know if that makes any sense--- part of my problem is emotional numbness and not really being aware of my feelings-- so I can't tell what "feels better" or not. My diagnosis is PTSD and depression.

So I've been on a waiting list to get in at this particular clinic (and was seeing a nurse practitioner in the meantime). The new psychiatrist agreed to continue the cymbalta, 60 mg. (Have been on it 1 month). However, he wanted to add the perphenazine, 4mg. I had never heard of this, and when I went home to research, I found that there's actually not all that much info out there on it, as it is so old and not commonly used. I was wondering if any of you have ever taken it, and what your experience was? Also, it's a "typical anti-psychotic and used for schizophrenia or bipolar, and there wasn't really much out there about off-label uses...I've never heard voices or been especially paranoid, hyper, angry, agitated, etc. Are there uses for perphrenazine aside from schizophrenia/bipolar (oh, and nausea)? Also, I'm really scared about the tardive dyskinesia and weight gaine as a side effect. Do you have any experience with this as a side effect, or not, from this med? Thanks, any help is appreciated.

Sam

I've taken most of the drugs you've mentioned. I've been taking trilafon atleast for this year as far as I can remember. It hasnt' caused weight gain in me which I am like thank God because it seemed like everything I was taking was causing weight gain. I've actually changed my eating portions and as a result have lost 25lbs since the beginning of the year although I don't think trilafon causes weight loss. I don't have a problem with nausea; but, I usually eat something small with my pills because others are supposed to have food with, etc. Hope this is helpful. You can try www.webmd.com if u like.

Thanks for your response! Do you mind if I ask you a couple questions about your experience with it? First off, how has it affected your sleep? (i.e. better sleep, worse sleep, no effect, etc.) The reason I ask is I've noticed that for me, it makes me tired but not able to sleep....but then again, I have horrible sleep problems. Even with taking Ambien, it's make my sleep worse. The doctor said it was supposed to help my sleep (that isn't really why its prescribed but he said it's a side benefit.) Do you take it in the morning or evening? What dosage are you on? Oh and thanks for the link to that site...it was helpful.

Sam

I take it one 8mg in the a.m. and 2 8mg in the pm. As far as sleep I've been on so many different ones it's crazy (all the newer ones and some of the older antipsychotics) this one is the best so far. I was taking it all at night but I shake so bad by the end of the work day (I work part time but not at the moment; mono) so he put one in the morning and two at night for a total of 24mg a day. And I've actually taken 4 at once. For psych meds I am also on lithium, artane for shaking, levothyroxine which can be low thyroid function caused by lithium, valium twice a day (which my pdoc tells me that taking something scheduled actually is better than a as needed basis bc that would reinforce and cause addiction). Not sure if I answered all your questions; probly not. Just keep asking.

No, you have been helpful! I am only on 4mg...and only for the past week...so I feel like a baby for complaining. I'm also on 60mg Cymbalta in the AM (for 1 mon), 10mg Ambien PRN (off an on for a couple years). Do you mind if I ask what is your diagnosis? Or rather, what symptoms is the perphenazine prescribed for in you? The reason I ask is most of what I've found online says its used for hallucinations, delusions, mania, or agitation. I've never had issues with those (unless this new Dr suspects something he isn't telling me, but my insurance sheet said PTSD and depression for my diagnoses, which is consistent with past diagnoses).....This was the 1st time seeing this particular Dr, and I just find it odd him prescribing me something that's fairly uncommon AND for an off-label use. (I mean, I could understand one of the more common old antipsychotics, like thorazine, but why this particular one?) He said that it may help with my feelings of emptiness and abandonment issues (how a med can help with that, i'm not sure), and that it can help with sleep. Well, so far, I have felt tired after taking it in the PM and then tired the next morning, but have had trouble actually falling asleep....i feel simultaneously restless AND fatigued; it's like i'm in that awful half-asleep/half-awake state for at least an hour before finally falling asleep; my mind is going but my body can't really move.

I'm not really sure what the whole point of this post was. I guess I want the support of someone who's taken it to encourage me to stick with it. What were your experiences starting it? Did it take awhile to get a positive benefit from it? I tend to give up on meds very easily, which may be why I've tried all the antidepressants (and never for more than 2 mos!). Thanks!

Sam

I wouldn't like this med.

"People who are comatose or who are at reduced levels of consciousness or alertness should not take Trilafon."

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/perphenazine.html

I told my doctor I didn't take drugs that have a side effect of "death" and he laughed with me but agreed. This instruction strikes me as a warning that it is not a drug that would be "smart enough" to help me :-) How is a comatose individual going to take anything? There were way too many warnings on all the pages I read too. But I also read the tardive dyskinesia mostly occured in older women and it seems if you're not one of those and on a low dose it might be okay for awhile.

On the positive side, that it is fairly "old", tried and true would make me feel the doctor might know a bit more about it and have had more experience with more patients on it? That would help me some.

Maybe some of the PTSD symptoms are treatable as if they are "unreal"/hallucination-like? I'd certainly stay on it for at least your "usual" 2 months unless something really bad happened that scared me? Then you can re-evaluate if you are comfortable enough to continue.

I took this med but we found out I am allergic to it. I ended up in the ER with a severe reaction. I couldn't breath, I was shaking and my tongue was swelling. When I list it as a drug allergy almost everyone goes what's that. I've only had a handful of doc's actually know what it is.

I hope it works for you. Good luck!

Jbug

I was prescribed Trilafon to attempt to induce sleep by a prior pdoc. Today, many pdoc may not prescribe this med as it is so old when there are many newer and "safer" drugs on the market to try if the pdoc is prescribing it to you to induce sleep. My current pdoc would call Trilafon a "dirty drug" meaning that the side effects do not outweigh it's benefits. For some, they have great benefits from using Trilafon... this is great. I think we all know that trying to find the right cocktail that is right for us is hard enough to achieve. If your pdoc wishes to help induce sleep for you, maybe Risperdal would be a great choice. I tried most everything until Risperdal (no longer works though). After having read many posts regarding Risperdal and talking to many others who have found sleep by taking it, the drugs seems to be very beneficial. For women, Risperdal does have a side effect of increasing Prolactin levels making a female begin to lactate, which I did.

Ask your pdoc what the Trilafon is for. If for sleep, ask him/her if they would consider your trying Risperdal.

Good Luck,
Peacemaker