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Duo-Vil 2-10 (Oral)

Generic name: perphenazine and amitriptyline

Brand names: Duo-Vil 2-10, Duo-Vil 2-25, Etrafon

Last updated February 2, 2026 0 views
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Uses for Duo-Vil 2-10

Perphenazine and amitriptyline combination is used to treat specific mental and emotional conditions.

This combination is available only with a doctor's prescription.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Precautions while using Duo-Vil 2-10

Your doctor should check how you are doing at regular visits to adjust your dose and help reduce side effects.

Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely. This is to prevent side effects and to avoid worsening your condition.

Do not take this medicine within two hours of antacids or diarrhea medicine. Taking these products too close together may make this medicine less effective.

This medicine will increase the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness). Examples of CNS depressants include antihistamines or hay fever, allergy, or cold medicines; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping pills; prescription pain medicines or narcotics; barbiturates; seizure medicines; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these while using this medicine.

Before having any surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, inform the medical doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. Taking perphenazine and amitriptyline together with medicines used during surgery or dental or emergency treatments may increase CNS depressant effects.

The perphenazine and amitriptyline combination may cause some people to feel agitated, irritable, or show other unusual behaviors. It may also lead some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these effects, tell your doctor immediately.

This medicine may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert than usual, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Even if taken only at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert in the morning. Make sure you know how this medicine affects you before driving, operating machinery, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when standing up from lying or sitting down. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or worsens, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause you to sweat less, which can increase your body temperature. Be extra careful not to overheat during exercise or in hot weather while taking this medicine, as overheating could lead to heat stroke. Hot baths or saunas may also cause you to feel dizzy or faint.

Perphenazine and amitriptyline combination may cause a dry mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless gum or hard candy, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth stays dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your doctor or dentist. Ongoing dry mouth may raise the risk of dental issues, like tooth decay, gum disease, and fungal infections.

Perphenazine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Even brief sun exposure may cause a rash, itching, redness or other skin discoloration, or severe sunburn. When you start taking this medicine:

  • Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
  • Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
  • Use a sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may need a higher SPF, especially if they have fair skin. If you have questions about this, check with your healthcare professional.
  • Use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
  • Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction to the sun, contact your doctor.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Before using Duo-Vil 2-10

In deciding to use a drug, the chances of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your physician will make. For this medication, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medication or any other medications. As well tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Certain side effects, such as muscle spasms of the face, neck, and back, tic-like or twitching movements, inability to move the eyes, twisting of the body, or weakness of the arms and legs, are more likely to occur in children, who are typically more sensitive than adults to some of the side effects of perphenazine and amitriptyline combination.

The perphenazine and amitriptyline combination must be used with caution in children with depression. Studies have shown occurrences of children thinking about suicide or attempting suicide in clinical trials for this medicine. More study is needed to be sure the perphenazine and amitriptyline combination is safe and effective in children

Geriatric

Confusion, vision problems, dizziness or fainting, sleepiness, dryness of mouth, constipation, issues in urinating, trembling of the hands and fingers, and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia (such as uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, jaw, arms, and/or legs) are especially likely to occur in elderly patients. Older patients are typically more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of perphenazine and amitriptyline combination.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant chance when using this drug during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks prior to using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using this medicine, it is especially critical that your healthcare professional know if you are using any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medications is not advised. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medications you take.

  • Bepridil
  • Bromopride
  • Cisapride
  • Clorgyline
  • Dronedarone
  • Droperidol
  • Furazolidone
  • Grepafloxacin
  • Iproniazid
  • Isocarboxazid
  • Levoketoconazole
  • Levomethadyl
  • Linezolid
  • Mesoridazine
  • Methylene Blue
  • Metoclopramide
  • Moclobemide
  • Nialamide
  • Pargyline
  • Phenelzine
  • Pimozide
  • Piperaquine
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Procarbazine
  • Ranolazine
  • Safinamide
  • Saquinavir
  • Selegiline
  • Sparfloxacin
  • Terfenadine
  • Thioridazine
  • Toloxatone
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following drugs is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the drugs.

  • Abiraterone Acetate
  • Acecainide
  • Aceclofenac
  • Acemetacin
  • Adagrasib
  • Albuterol
  • Alfentanil
  • Alfuzosin
  • Almotriptan
  • Alprazolam
  • Amantadine
  • Amiodarone
  • Amisulpride
  • Amoxapine
  • Amphetamine
  • Amtolmetin Guacil
  • Anagrelide
  • Apomorphine
  • Aprindine
  • Aripiprazole
  • Aripiprazole Lauroxil
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Artemether
  • Asenapine
  • Aspirin
  • Astemizole
  • Atazanavir
  • Azimilide
  • Azithromycin
  • Benzhydrocodone
  • Benzphetamine
  • Bretylium
  • Bromazepam
  • Bromfenac
  • Brompheniramine
  • Bufexamac
  • Buprenorphine
  • Bupropion
  • Buserelin
  • Buspirone
  • Butorphanol
  • Calcium Oxybate
  • Cannabidiol
  • Cannabis
  • Carisoprodol
  • Celecoxib
  • Ceritinib
  • Cetirizine
  • Chloral Hydrate
  • Chloroquine
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Choline Salicylate
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Citalopram
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clobazam
  • Clofazimine
  • Clomipramine
  • Clonazepam
  • Clonidine
  • Clonixin
  • Clothiapine
  • Clozapine
  • Cobicistat
  • Cocaine
  • Codeine
  • Crizotinib
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • Dabrafenib
  • Daridorexant
  • Darunavir
  • Dasatinib
  • Degarelix
  • Delamanid
  • Desipramine
  • Deslorelin
  • Desmopressin
  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Deutetrabenazine
  • Dexibuprofen
  • Dexketoprofen
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Dextromethorphan
  • Diclofenac
  • Diflunisal
  • Dihydrocodeine
  • Dipyrone
  • Disopyramide
  • Dofetilide
  • Dolasetron
  • Domperidone
  • Donepezil
  • Doxepin
  • Doxorubicin
  • Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
  • Doxylamine
  • Droperidol
  • Droxicam
  • Duloxetine
  • Efavirenz
  • Eletriptan
  • Encorafenib
  • Enflurane
  • Entrectinib
  • Epinephrine
  • Erythromycin
  • Escitalopram
  • Esketamine
  • Eslicarbazepine Acetate
  • Etodolac
  • Etofenamate
  • Etoricoxib
  • Etrasimod
  • Fedratinib
  • Felbinac
  • Fenfluramine
  • Fenoprofen
  • Fentanyl
  • Fepradinol
  • Feprazone
  • Fexinidazole
  • Fingolimod
  • Flecainide
  • Flibanserin
  • Floctafenine
  • Fluconazole
  • Flufenamic Acid
  • Fluoxetine
  • Flurbiprofen
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Formoterol
  • Foscarnet
  • Fostemsavir
  • Frovatriptan
  • Gabapentin
  • Gabapentin Enacarbil
  • Gatifloxacin
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Gepirone
  • Givosiran
  • Glasdegib
  • Glucagon
  • Glycopyrrolate
  • Glycopyrronium Tosylate
  • Gonadorelin
  • Goserelin
  • Granisetron
  • Halofantrine
  • Haloperidol
  • Halothane
  • Histrelin
  • Hydrocodone
  • Hydromorphone
  • Hydroxyamphetamine
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Hydroxytryptophan
  • Hydroxyzine
  • Ibuprofen
  • Ibutilide
  • Iloperidone
  • Imipramine
  • Indomethacin
  • Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
  • Iobenguane I 123
  • Iobenguane I 131
  • Isoflurane
  • Isradipine
  • Ivabradine
  • Ivosidenib
  • Ketamine
  • Ketoconazole
  • Ketoprofen
  • Ketorolac
  • Lacosamide
  • Lapatinib
  • Lasmiditan
  • Lefamulin
  • Lemborexant
  • Lenvatinib
  • Leuprolide
  • Levalbuterol
  • Levocetirizine
  • Levofloxacin
  • Levomilnacipran
  • Levorphanol
  • Lidoflazine
  • Lisdexamfetamine
  • Lithium
  • Lofexidine
  • Lopinavir
  • Lorcainide
  • Lorcaserin
  • Lornoxicam
  • Loxapine
  • Loxoprofen
  • Lumefantrine
  • Lumiracoxib
  • Macimorelin
  • Magnesium Oxybate
  • Meclofenamate
  • Mefenamic Acid
  • Mefloquine
  • Meloxicam
  • Meperidine
  • Metaxalone
  • Methacholine
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine
  • Metrizamide
  • Metronidazole
  • Milnacipran
  • Mirtazapine
  • Mobocertinib
  • Moricizine
  • Morniflumate
  • Morphine
  • Morphine Sulfate Liposome
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Nabumetone
  • Nafarelin
  • Nalbuphine
  • Naproxen
  • Naratriptan
  • Nefazodone
  • Nefopam
  • Nepafenac
  • Niflumic Acid
  • Nilotinib
  • Nimesulide
  • Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
  • Norepinephrine
  • Norfloxacin
  • Nortriptyline
  • Octreotide
  • Ofloxacin
  • Olanzapine
  • Ondansetron
  • Osilodrostat
  • Osimertinib
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Oxaprozin
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymetazoline
  • Oxymorphone
  • Oxyphenbutazone
  • Ozanimod
  • Pacritinib
  • Paliperidone
  • Palonosetron
  • Panobinostat
  • Parecoxib
  • Paroxetine
  • Pasireotide
  • Pazopanib
  • Peginterferon Alfa-2b
  • Pentamidine
  • Pentazocine
  • Periciazine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Piketoprofen
  • Pimavanserin
  • Piroxicam
  • Pitolisant
  • Pixantrone
  • Ponesimod
  • Porfimer
  • Posaconazole
  • Potassium Oxybate
  • Pranoprofen
  • Pregabalin
  • Primidone
  • Procainamide
  • Procarbazine
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Proglumetacin
  • Promethazine
  • Propafenone
  • Propoxyphene
  • Propyphenazone
  • Proquazone
  • Protriptyline
  • Quetiapine
  • Quinidine
  • Quinine
  • Quizartinib
  • Rasagiline
  • Relugolix
  • Remifentanil
  • Remimazolam
  • Revefenacin
  • Ribociclib
  • Risperidone
  • Rizatriptan
  • Rofecoxib
  • Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Salsalate
  • Scopolamine
  • Secretin Human
  • Selpercatinib
  • Sematilide
  • Sertindole
  • Sertraline
  • Sevoflurane
  • Sibutramine
  • Siponimod
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • Sodium Phosphate
  • Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
  • Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
  • Sodium Salicylate
  • Solifenacin
  • Sorafenib
  • Sotalol
  • Spiramycin
  • Sufentanil
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Sulindac
  • Sulpiride
  • Sultopride
  • Sumatriptan
  • Sunitinib
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tapentadol
  • Tedisamil
  • Telavancin
  • Telithromycin
  • Tenoxicam
  • Tetrabenazine
  • Tiaprofenic Acid
  • Tiotropium
  • Tocilizumab
  • Tolfenamic Acid
  • Tolmetin
  • Topiramate
  • Toremifene
  • Tramadol
  • Trazodone
  • Triclabendazole
  • Trifluoperazine
  • Trimethoprim
  • Trimipramine
  • Triptorelin
  • Tryptophan
  • Valdecoxib
  • Vandetanib
  • Vardenafil
  • Vemurafenib
  • Venlafaxine
  • Vilanterol
  • Vilazodone
  • Vinflunine
  • Voclosporin
  • Voriconazole
  • Vortioxetine
  • Zolmitriptan
  • Zolpidem
  • Zotepine
  • Zuclopenthixol
  • Zuranolone

Using this drug with any of the following medicines may cause an increased chance of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your physician may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the drugs.

  • Acenocoumarol
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
  • Arbutamine
  • Atomoxetine
  • Belladonna
  • Belladonna Alkaloids
  • Betel Nut
  • Bethanidine
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cimetidine
  • Desogestrel
  • Diazepam
  • Dicumarol
  • Dienogest
  • Drospirenone
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Ethynodiol
  • Evening Primrose
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Galantamine
  • Gestodene
  • Guanethidine
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Mestranol
  • Midodrine
  • Nomegestrol
  • Norethindrone
  • Norgestimate
  • Norgestrel
  • Orphenadrine
  • Phenprocoumon
  • Phenylalanine
  • Phenytoin
  • Procyclidine
  • Rifapentine
  • Ritonavir
  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • St John's Wort
  • Trihexyphenidyl
  • Valproic Acid
  • Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may additionally cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not advised, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your clinician may change the dose or how frequently you use this drug, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Tobacco

Using this medication with any of the following may cause an increased chance of certain adverse effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your physician may change the dose or how often you use this medication, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse—Certain side effects such as heat stroke may be more likely to occur
  • Asthma (history of) or other lung disease or
  • Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or
  • Blood disease or
  • Breast cancer or
  • Difficult urination or
  • Enlarged prostate or
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorders or
  • Glaucoma or
  • Heart or blood vessel disease or
  • Mental illness (severe) or
  • Parkinson's disease or
  • Stomach or intestinal issues—Perphenazine and amitriptyline combination may make the condition worse
  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease—Higher blood levels of perphenazine and amitriptyline may occur, increasing the chance of side effects
  • Overactive thyroid—Perphenazine and amitriptyline combination may cause an increased chance of severe effects on the heart
  • Reye's syndrome—There may be an increased chance of unwanted effects on the liver

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Side Effects of Duo-Vil 2-10

Along with its necessary effects, perphenazine (part of this combination medicine) can sometimes cause serious side effects. Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may happen and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. Other serious but rare side effects may also occur. These include severe muscle stiffness, fever, unusual tiredness or weakness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, and seizures (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). You and your doctor should discuss the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks of taking it.

Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

Rare

  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • difficulty in breathing
  • fast heartbeat
  • fever
  • high or low blood pressure
  • increased sweating
  • loss of bladder control
  • muscle stiffness (severe)
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusually pale skin

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  • Blurred vision or any change in vision
  • difficulty in speaking or swallowing
  • fainting
  • inability to move eyes
  • lip smacking or puckering
  • loss of balance control
  • mask-like face
  • muscle spasms, especially of face, neck, and back
  • nervousness, restlessness, or need to keep moving
  • puffing of cheeks
  • rapid or fine, worm-like movements of tongue
  • shuffling walk
  • stiffness of arms and legs
  • trembling and shaking of fingers and hands
  • tic-like or twitching movements
  • twisting movements of body
  • uncontrolled chewing movements
  • uncontrolled movements of arms or legs
  • weakness of arms and legs

Less common

  • Confusion
  • constipation
  • difficult urination
  • eye pain
  • hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
  • increased skin sensitivity to sun
  • shakiness
  • slow pulse or irregular heartbeat

Rare

  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • aching muscles or joints
  • back or leg pain
  • fever and chills
  • hair loss
  • hot, dry skin or lack of sweating
  • irritability
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle weakness or twitching
  • nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • nosebleeds
  • prolonged, painful, inappropriate penile erection
  • ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noises in ears
  • skin discoloration
  • skin rash and itching
  • sore throat and fever
  • swelling of face and tongue
  • swelling of testicles
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose

  • Agitation
  • confusion
  • convulsions (seizures)
  • drowsiness (severe)
  • enlarged pupils
  • fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
  • fever
  • hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
  • shortness of breath or troubled breathing
  • unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)
  • vomiting (severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to provide ways to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • Decreased sweating
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • dryness of mouth
  • headache
  • increased appetite for sweets
  • nasal congestion
  • tiredness or weakness (mild)
  • unpleasant taste
  • weight gain (unusual)

Less common

  • Changes in menstrual period
  • decreased sexual ability
  • heartburn
  • increased sweating
  • swelling or pain in breasts or unusual secretion of milk

After you stop using this medicine, it may still cause some side effects that need attention. During this time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

  • Dizziness
  • nausea or vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • trembling of fingers and hands
  • symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, including lip smacking or puckering, puffing of cheeks, rapid or fine, worm-like movements of tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of arms or legs

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

  • Diarrhea
  • headache
  • irritability
  • restlessness
  • trouble sleeping, with vivid dreams
  • unusual excitement

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

  • Duo-Vil 2-10
  • Duo-Vil 2-25
  • Etrafon

Available Dosage Forms:

  • Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Tricyclic Antidepressant/Phenothiazine Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Phenothiazine

Chemical Class: Piperazine (class)

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Proper use of Duo-Vil 2-10

To lessen stomach upset, take this medicine immediately after meals or with food, unless your doctor has told you to take it on an empty stomach.

Do not take more of this medicine and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. This is particularly important for elderly patients, since they are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Sometimes perphenazine and amitriptyline combination must be taken for several weeks before its full effect is reached.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets): For certain mental and emotional conditions: Adults—At first, 1 tablet taken three or four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Related medicines

Before you take this medicine: the information on this page is general and may not cover your personal circumstances. Read the label supplied with your medicine and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines or managing a long-term condition.
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