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Invega

Generic name: paliperidone (oral) [ PAL-ee-PER-i-DONE ]
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 1, 2024.

What is Invega?

Invega is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Invega is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers who are at least 12 years old.

Invega may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Invega is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Paliperidone may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

While you are taking Invega, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking this medicine.

Stop taking Invega and call your doctor at once if you have very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, restless muscle movements in your face or neck, tremor (uncontrolled shaking), trouble swallowing, or feeling like you might pass out.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Invega if you are allergic to paliperidone or risperidone (Risperdal).

Paliperidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

High doses or long-term use of paliperidone can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use Invega, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

To make sure Invega is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop using your medicine during pregnancy. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop using Invega without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of paliperidone on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How should I take Invega?

Take Invega exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

You may take Invega with or without food.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, fast heartbeats, and fainting.

What to avoid

While you are taking Invega, you may be more sensitive to heat. Avoid getting too hot, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking paliperidone.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Invega side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Invega: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Invega and call your doctor at once if you have any of these signs of a serious movement disorder:

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Invega side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Invega?

Using Invega with other drugs that make you dizzy or lower your blood pressure can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can interact with paliperidone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with Invega Sustenna (paliperidone palmitate). Combining alcohol with Invega Sustenna can increase side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and trouble concentrating. This may also affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly. Continue reading

The difference between Invega Sustenna, Invega Trinza, and Invega Hayfera is the length of time they last in the body. Invega Sustenna lasts for 1 month, Invega Trinza lasts for 3 months, and Invega Hayfera lasts for 6 months and only needs to be given twice a year. Before transitioning to Invega Hayfera, patients must be adequately treated with Invega Sustenna for at least 4 months, or Invega Trinza for at least one 3-month injection cycle. Continue reading

Before people transition to Invega Trinza, they need to have been administered Invega Sustenna for at least 4 months and tolerated it well. For a seamless transition, it is recommended that the last two doses of Invega Sustenna are the same dosage strength before starting Invega Trinza. Start Invega Trinza up to 7 days before, on, or 7 days after the day the next 1-month Invega Sustenna dose was due. Choose a starting dose of Invega Trinza that is 3.5-fold higher than the last Invega Sustenna dose. Continue reading

Invega Sustenna is administered by a healthcare professional into either the deltoid muscle of the arm or the gluteal muscle of the buttocks once a month following an initial loading dose period. Invega Sustenna is usually started with a dose of 234mg given IM, followed by 156mg IM one week later. Thereafter, monthly injections of 39mg to 234mg IM are given, depending on the condition being treated, individual dosage requirements, and how well the person tolerates Invega Sustenna. Continue reading

Before transitioning to Invega Hayfera, a person must have been administered Invega Sustenna for at least 4 months or Invega Trinza for at least one three-month cycle and tolerated either of them well. Continue reading

Invega Trinza (paliperidone palmitate) is a long-acting injection given into the muscle of your upper arm (deltoid muscle) or buttock (gluteal muscle). It is given once every 3 months for the treatment of schizophrenia. Your healthcare provider will give you this injection each time. Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Invega only for the indication prescribed.

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