Perphenazine

Course Summary

Perphenazine is a typical antipsychotic and a centrally acting dopamine D2 receptor antagonist with a labeled use to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to help allay symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Off-label, perphenazine is used to control agitation or psychosis caused by dementia, however clinicians are warned of the increased risk of death when using typical antipsychotics in elderly individuals. Use of perphenazine as with all first generation antipsychotics has been less preferred compared to second generation atypical antipsychotics that are associated with improved drug safety and tolerability. However, clinicians should also consider the longitudinal data associated with a clinical and therapeutic course of care in individual patients. Alongside a concern for drug safety and tolerance, antipsychotic drug treatment should also be tailored to individual patient symptoms and outcomes.