Skip to main content

Can you take Perphenazine with Triamterene?

1 drug interaction and 40 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

Add/remove drugs

Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

triamterene perphenazine

Applies to: triamterene and perphenazine

Perphenazine and triamterene may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure.

You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate.

These side effects are most likely to be seen:

  • at the beginning of treatment
  • following a dose increase
  • when treatment is restarted after an interruption

Let your doctor know if you develop these symptoms and they do not go away after a few days or they become troublesome.

Avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

triamterene Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: triamterene

Ethanol and triamterene may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure.

You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted.

Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness.

Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate:

perphenazine Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: perphenazine

Ask your doctor before using perphenazine together with ethanol (alcohol).

This can cause:

  • uncontrollable movements
  • agitation
  • seizures
  • severe dizziness or fainting
  • coma
  • very deep sleep
  • irregular heartbeats
  • high or low body temperature

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities, these medicaions may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

38 potential interactions Applies to: 33 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Gout, Seizures, Arrhythmia, and Breast Cancer.

Acidosis

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Acidosis.

Acidosis alters the ratio of extracellular to intracellular potassium and may commonly lead to rapid increases in serum potassium levels. Conversely, high serum potassium concentrations may potentiate acidosis. Because of their hyperkalemic effects, therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be avoided in patients with metabolic or respiratory acidosis. These agents should be used cautiously in patients in whom acidosis may occur, such as patients with cardiopulmonary disease, severe respiratory disease, or poorly controlled diabetes. Acid-base balance and serum potassium levels should be monitored at regular intervals.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

Phenothiazines are contraindicated in the presence of large amounts of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol. The risk of suicide and the danger of overdose may be increased in patients who use alcohol excessively. Phenothiazines should be used with caution in patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal.

Alcoholism

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Phenothiazines are contraindicated in the presence of large amounts of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol. The risk of suicide and the danger of overdose may be increased in patients who use alcohol excessively. Phenothiazines should be used with caution in patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal.

Altered Consciousness

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Altered Consciousness.

The use of phenothiazines is contraindicated in comatose patients and patients with severe central nervous system depression. Phenothiazines may potentiate the CNS and respiratory depression in these patients.

Anemia, Folate Deficiency

Moderate:

triamterene

Triamterene has a moderate potential interaction with Anemia, Folate Deficiency.

Triamterene is a weak folate antagonist and may contribute to megaloblastic anemia in cases where folic acid stores have been depleted. Therapy with triamterene should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to megaloblastic anemia, including cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly. These patients should be observed for exacerbations of underlying liver disease during triamterene therapy.

Arrhythmia

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

Phenothiazines may cause hematologic toxicity. In patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias, bone marrow suppression, or a history of drug-induced leukopenia or neutropenia, phenothiazines should not be used or are contraindicated. Complete blood counts should be regularly monitored in patients with risk factors for blood dyscrasias. If white blood cell counts indicate cellular depression, discontinue treatment and institute appropriate therapy.

Breast Cancer

Moderate:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a moderate potential interaction with Breast Cancer.

The chronic use of phenothiazines is associated with persistent elevations in prolactin levels. The clinical significance in patients with a history of breast cancer is unknown and should be considered prior to therapy; approximately one-third of human breast cancers are thought to be prolactin-dependent. Chronic administration of neuroleptic drugs has been associated with mammary tumorigenesis in animal studies; however, evidence is inconclusive in humans.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Central Nervous System Disorders

Moderate:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a moderate potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.

Phenothiazines can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is recommended during administration in patients with a history of convulsive disorders or EEG abnormalities. Anticonvulsant therapy should be maintained or adequately adjusted during phenothiazine treatment.

Cerebrovascular Insufficiency

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Cirrhosis

Moderate:

triamterene

Triamterene has a moderate potential interaction with Cirrhosis.

Triamterene is a weak folate antagonist and may contribute to megaloblastic anemia in cases where folic acid stores have been depleted. Therapy with triamterene should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to megaloblastic anemia, including cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly. These patients should be observed for exacerbations of underlying liver disease during triamterene therapy.

Dementia

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Dementia.

Antipsychotic drugs are not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. Older patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death; although the causes were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. A causal relationship with antipsychotic use has not been established. In controlled trials in older patients with dementia-related psychosis, patients randomized to risperidone, aripiprazole, and olanzapine had higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse events (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, compared to patients treated with placebo.

Diabetes Mellitus

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia, which may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Patients with diabetes mellitus, with or without nephropathy, may be particularly susceptible to the hyperkalemic effect of these drugs due to a defect in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis. Therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be avoided, if possible, in patients with diabetes, especially uncontrolled or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. If these drugs are used, serum potassium levels and renal function should be monitored at regular intervals. Determination of serum electrolytes is especially important during initiation of therapy, after a dosage adjustment, and during illness that could alter renal function.

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Acidosis alters the ratio of extracellular to intracellular potassium and may commonly lead to rapid increases in serum potassium levels. Conversely, high serum potassium concentrations may potentiate acidosis. Because of their hyperkalemic effects, therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be avoided in patients with metabolic or respiratory acidosis. These agents should be used cautiously in patients in whom acidosis may occur, such as patients with cardiopulmonary disease, severe respiratory disease, or poorly controlled diabetes. Acid-base balance and serum potassium levels should be monitored at regular intervals.

Electrolyte Abnormalities

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Electrolyte Abnormalities.

All diuretics may cause or aggravate fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Potassium-sparing diuretics may cause hyperkalemia and, infrequently, hyponatremia. The latter generally occurs when these agents are combined with other diuretics such as thiazides or used in markedly edematous patients with restricted sodium intake. Therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to electrolyte abnormalities. Electrolyte imbalances should be corrected prior to initiating therapy, and serum electrolyte concentrations should be monitored periodically and maintained at normal ranges during therapy. Determination of serum electrolytes is especially important during initiation of therapy, after a dosage adjustment, and during illness that could alter renal function.

Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency

Moderate:

triamterene

Triamterene has a moderate potential interaction with Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency.

Triamterene is a weak folate antagonist and may contribute to megaloblastic anemia in cases where folic acid stores have been depleted. Therapy with triamterene should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to megaloblastic anemia, including cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly. These patients should be observed for exacerbations of underlying liver disease during triamterene therapy.

Gout

Moderate:

triamterene

Triamterene has a moderate potential interaction with Gout.

Potassium-sparing diuretics have been reported to elevate serum uric acid levels. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gout.

Head Injury

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Head Injury.

Perphenazine is contraindicated in patients with suspected or established subcortical brain damage, with or without hypothalamic involvement. Perphenazine can interfere with thermoregulatory mechanisms, and a hyperthermic reaction with temperatures in excess of 40C (104F) may occur in such patients, sometimes not until 14 to 16 hours after drug administration.

High Blood Pressure

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

History - Cerebrovascular Disease

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with History - Cerebrovascular Disease.

Perphenazine is contraindicated in patients with suspected or established subcortical brain damage, with or without hypothalamic involvement. Perphenazine can interfere with thermoregulatory mechanisms, and a hyperthermic reaction with temperatures in excess of 40C (104F) may occur in such patients, sometimes not until 14 to 16 hours after drug administration.

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with History - Cerebrovascular Disease.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

History - Myocardial Infarction

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with History - Myocardial Infarction.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Hyperkalemia

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Hyperkalemia.

The use of potassium-sparing diuretics is contraindicated in the presence of elevated serum potassium concentrations (> 5.5 mEq/L). Potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia, which may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Careful monitoring of serum potassium levels is necessary in all patients treated with potassium-sparing diuretics, especially during initiation of therapy, after dosage adjustment, and during illness that could alter renal function. The diuretic should be withdrawn immediately if hyperkalemia develops, and measures should be initiated to lower serum potassium if it exceeds 6.5 mEq/L. The combined use of a potassium-sparing diuretic with a kaliuretic diuretic (e.g., thiazides) may decrease the risk of hyperkalemia.

Hyponatremia

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Hyponatremia.

All diuretics may cause or aggravate fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Potassium-sparing diuretics may cause hyperkalemia and, infrequently, hyponatremia. The latter generally occurs when these agents are combined with other diuretics such as thiazides or used in markedly edematous patients with restricted sodium intake. Therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to electrolyte abnormalities. Electrolyte imbalances should be corrected prior to initiating therapy, and serum electrolyte concentrations should be monitored periodically and maintained at normal ranges during therapy. Determination of serum electrolytes is especially important during initiation of therapy, after a dosage adjustment, and during illness that could alter renal function.

Hypotension

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Liver Disease

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The manufacturer considers the use of perphenazine to be contraindicated in patients with preexisting liver damage. Phenothiazines are extensively metabolized by the liver and may accumulate in patients with hepatic impairment.

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Therapy with phenothiazines should be administered cautiously or are contraindicated in patients with preexisting liver disease or with a history of jaundice due to phenothiazine hypersensitivity. Patients with a history of hepatic encephalopathy due to cirrhosis may have increased sensitivity to the central nervous system effects of some phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine). Treatment should be discontinued if jaundice occurs.

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Triamterene is contraindicated in patients with severe liver dysfunction.

Nephrolithiasis

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Nephrolithiasis.

Triamterene and its metabolites have been reported in renal stones in association with other calculus components. Therapy with triamterene should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of nephrolithiasis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Moderate:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a moderate potential interaction with Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.

Therapy with phenothiazines may precipitate or aggravate a potentially fatal symptom complex known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Treatment should not be initiated in patients with active NMS, and should be immediately discontinued if currently administered in such patients. In patients with a history of NMS, introduction or reintroduction of phenothiazines should be carefully considered, since NMS may recur.

Pheochromocytoma

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Pulmonary Impairment

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Acidosis alters the ratio of extracellular to intracellular potassium and may commonly lead to rapid increases in serum potassium levels. Conversely, high serum potassium concentrations may potentiate acidosis. Because of their hyperkalemic effects, therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be avoided in patients with metabolic or respiratory acidosis. These agents should be used cautiously in patients in whom acidosis may occur, such as patients with cardiopulmonary disease, severe respiratory disease, or poorly controlled diabetes. Acid-base balance and serum potassium levels should be monitored at regular intervals.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

triamterene

Triamterene has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The use of potassium-sparing diuretics is contraindicated in patients with anuria, acute or progressive renal insufficiency, or diabetic nephropathy. Potassium-sparing diuretics can cause hyperkalemia, which may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Patients with impaired renal function may be particularly susceptible to the hyperkalemic effect of these drugs. Therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics should be administered cautiously in patients with evidence of renal function impairment (BUN > 30 mg/dL or serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL). If these drugs are used, serum potassium levels and renal function should be monitored at regular intervals. Determination of serum electrolytes is especially important during initiation of therapy, after a dosage adjustment, and during illness that could alter renal function.

Moderate:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Phenothiazines should be used with caution in patients with renal dysfunction. Patients with renal insufficiency may be more prone to hypotension. Periodic renal function tests are recommended for all patients during prolonged therapy.

Respiratory Arrest

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.

The use of phenothiazines is contraindicated in comatose patients and patients with severe central nervous system depression. Phenothiazines may potentiate the CNS and respiratory depression in these patients.

Seizures

Moderate:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

Phenothiazines can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is recommended during administration in patients with a history of convulsive disorders or EEG abnormalities. Anticonvulsant therapy should be maintained or adequately adjusted during phenothiazine treatment.

Valvular Heart Disease

Major:

perphenazine

Perphenazine has a major potential interaction with Valvular Heart Disease.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

More resources

perphenazine

A total of 751 drugs are known to interact with perphenazine.

triamterene

A total of 390 drugs are known to interact with triamterene.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.