Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate-atropine + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate-atropine 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
Perphenazine is sedating and has anticholinergic properties, and these add to the opioid and atropine effects of diphenoxylate-atropine. This can cause excess drowsiness, constipation, urinary retention and confusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate-atropine 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.
Diphenoxylate-atropine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and additive antimuscarinic effects.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, constipation and urinary retention, especially in older patients. Use the lowest effective dose of the antidiarrheal for a short time.
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
Other interactions of Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenoxylate-atropine with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate-atropine 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. Perphenazine is sedating and has anticholinergic properties, and these add to the opioid and atropine effects of diphenoxylate-atropine. This can cause excess drowsiness, constipation, urinary retention and confusion.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate-atropine 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: Monitor for sedation, constipation and urinary retention, especially in older patients. Use the lowest effective dose of the antidiarrheal for a short time.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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