Drug interactions
Meclizine + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Meclizine 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
Meclizine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties, so with perphenazine it can increase drowsiness and cause dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and confusion. Elderly patients are most at risk. Meclizine is also a CYP2D6 inhibitor, which could modestly raise perphenazine exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meclizine 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.
Meclizine belongs to Respiratory; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant and anticholinergic effects, with possible CYP2D6 inhibition by meclizine.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, anticholinergic effects and extrapyramidal symptoms, and lower doses if they occur. Prefer a non-sedating alternative in older patients.
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 Meclizine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meclizine with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meclizine 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. Meclizine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties, so with perphenazine it can increase drowsiness and cause dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and confusion. Elderly patients are most at risk. Meclizine is also a CYP2D6 inhibitor, which could modestly raise perphenazine exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Meclizine 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, anticholinergic effects and extrapyramidal symptoms, and lower doses if they occur. Prefer a non-sedating alternative in older patients.
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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