Drug interactions
Difenoxin + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Difenoxin and Perphenazine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal related to diphenoxylate and can cause drowsiness at higher exposures. Combined with perphenazine, additive sedation and CNS depression may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difenoxin and Perphenazine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Difenoxin belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid activity and phenothiazine sedative effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for excessive sedation and reduced alertness. Advise against driving or alcohol use.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Other interactions of Difenoxin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difenoxin with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difenoxin and Perphenazine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal related to diphenoxylate and can cause drowsiness at higher exposures. Combined with perphenazine, additive sedation and CNS depression may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Difenoxin and Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for excessive sedation and reduced alertness. Advise against driving or alcohol use.
What other medicines interact with Perphenazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Perphenazine with, for example, Ibutilide, Pimozide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Perphenazine page.
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