Invega and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Any...
• February 1, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I’m currently writing with trembles in my hands and muscle stiffness. I had a nervous breakdown and classified bipolar NIGHTMARE BEGAN. I have extreme paranoia, lost my job because Invega destroyed my hand coordination, TD (I believe I have permanent brain damage), sexual dysfunction, muscle stiffness, tremors in my whole body, hands shaking, face twitching, curling fingers. I can’t hold down food, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal, antisocial, no emotions, removed from relationships, no periods, infertile at this point, no sleep in 3 months, pacing, blurry vision, absolute chemical lobotomy - fear of body deteriorating. 39 years old, hard to find the energy just to stay alive. Everything in my body is dry. I’m a nervous wreck. Detoxing: I was trying to restart my body - No change in 2 months. Instead, have early signs of Parkinson’s."

• Dad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started taking this medication for 3 months after I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and it has ruined my life. I now have trouble speaking, I'm always anxious, I can barely concentrate on anything, I'm depressed and sleeping a lot, and I no longer get erections and have trouble producing semen. I have been off of it for 2 months, and I'm still dealing with the side effects. This is the worst thing I have ever been on, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

• Nse...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was forced to take Invega after a spiritual emergence was diagnosed as schizophrenia, bipolar, and schizoaffective disorder. I had the initial dose of 256mg, I believe, then 150mg for four months. My last shot was in August 2018. By the second shot, my thoughts had stopped. I could no longer think. It shut off my consciousness. My memory and retaining information have been affected. I developed anhedonia. I can no longer feel any emotion. I have no libido or menstrual cycles. I haven't had an appetite in 4 months. I have no desire to eat or get pleasure from it. I have insomnia. I believe this medicine has caused brain damage. Other drugs have reduced or no effectiveness such as cannabis, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and sleep medication. This drug has a half-life of 25-49 days. So it's going to take at least a year before it is completely out of my system."

• Dou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Suffering and miserable on this drug Invega. I take 117mg monthly injections. The frequent side effects I get are thoughtless, emotionless, akathisia, anxiety, a lot of difficulty with memory, focus and concentration like I can't learn much. Unmotivated, I sit around a lot feeling numb and mentally blank. Increased depression, dead sex drive or no interest in sex. Weight gain."

• bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was sent to the hospital this January, with a plan of suicide after a big meth bender where they basically said, 'stop using drugs and stop bothering us' (been admitted to psychiatric care multiple times). My GP became infuriated with how they just simply dismissed me and put me back on Invega. Within a week, my mood improved majorly, my tendencies left, I haven't been using illegal drugs, my life has completely turned around. I have zero sex drive, but I'm back at Uni studying my Bachelor of Science. My parents are super proud of me, my attitude has changed, I'm happier, I have accepted my shortcomings, and finally have a goal in life. I think zero sex drive is better than cutting stuff into my face."

• inv...
• August 7, 2016

For Schizophrenia "This medication completely ruined my life. I gained 15 kg over six months on this injection, whereas before I was fit. I grew man boobs on this medication. I have no libido and complete sexual dysfunction. This medication gives you terrible anhedonia. I was forced to take Invega Sustenna after some stupid psychiatrist diagnosed me with 'psychosis.' I had no symptoms of psychosis."

• pil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

"Worst drug ever. I took it for three months. I've been off for a year and have yet to recover from it. I grew manboobs, and I'm now infertile (my semen/sperm is completely clear, and this hasn't recovered). On top of the horrible sexual dysfunction, the perhaps worst part about it is how it affected me emotionally and cognitively. I can't cry or laugh or feel joy. I'm so forgetful. I feel soulless. I don't enjoy reading or music or movies or anything. I can't feel in touch with nature. I was a dancer before, and now my movements are so rigid and stiff. I've been robbed of my life."

• Try...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 20, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medication sucks. I only experienced side effects and no benefit. I would rather spend my time looking for another way to treat my illness than to give any of these antipsychotics another chance. All of them cause weight gain, sexual side effects, tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, among other side effects that could mess you up for life. I admit it's very debilitating at times, but I would rather have my original problems than to be given another set of problems to replace them. If your psychosis is really bad and you can't live a normal life at all, and you're homeless and you scare people or end up in jail because of your illness, then I say take it. But if you can wait till they figure out how to make better meds, then wait."

• Oni...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 20, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I have been trying for 7 years to get off the monthly Invega shot because the side effects make me feel like I’m in a nightmare. I’ve gained 80 pounds, trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, no sex drive so no point to having a girlfriend, I feel down all the time, have wet stools, heartburn constantly, frequent headaches, and I could go on. If you have a loved one on this drug, ask them to be honest about the constant suicidal thoughts."

• Dam...
• August 6, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "When I first started taking Invega, it took away the voices and delusional thoughts better than the other injection I was receiving. Weaning off of it was not hard, but I was also taking large doses of niacin and lithium at the time. I had a manic episode that lasted 3 months after withdrawing. After that, one injection brought me back to reality in less than a day. I have extreme weight gain on Invega, drowsiness (sleep 12 hours a day), and decreased sex drive. Though it is important for me to point out, like I said, no mania or hallucinating. I function well on the injection. It is the side effects that I have trouble dealing with."

• pel...
• July 15, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I was on Risperdal for 3 years. I switched to Invega just over a month ago and am already losing a good deal of weight. I do sometimes get restless, but I accept this as the price for not sleeping 17 hours a day on Risperdal. My appetite is normal, and I don't eat huge portions anymore. My energy is up, and I can actually feel emotions fully again for the first time in a long, long time. Would recommend giving this a try to anyone - just remember some people get different side effects. For me, this also took away sexual side effects that were limiting my relationships."

• Han...
• May 20, 2017

For Schizophrenia "This medication is an absolute waste of time. I have been on Invega for a little less than 2 years now, and I can with absolute confidence ascertain that it has done nothing for me. Aside from the decrease in sexual appetite and libido, difficulty having and maintaining erections, little to no ejaculatory fluid (which is really frustrating, by the way), the muscle tremors I am experiencing, and the 30 pounds I have gained since starting this medication, it is with no doubt an absolute and total waste of money. I definitely would not recommend this medication to anyone. Save yourselves the time and money and do not take this medication."

• ask...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Although it helped with my delusional thoughts, it completely destroyed my life. I have anhedonia, loss of sex drive, fatigue, can't play football or any sports, my mind is blank, 40 kg weight gain, always hungry, can't get drunk. Feeling down sometimes. Robbed every joy from me."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I am currently on Invega Sustenna 78 mg, the monthly injection. The main side effect I experienced from Invega was sexual dysfunction. My sex drive dropped a lot, I became unable to get an erection, and when I did manage to masturbate (which was rare), I produced much less semen. Before I started taking this medication, I could sexually recharge in less than an hour if something was turning me on. After starting this medication, my dick became totally nonfunctional for days after ejaculation. I used to be able to get an erection just from looking without genital touching. Now the only way for me to get an erection is with genital touching, and only if it's been a while since I last ejaculated. Before, I was on a higher dose, and these sexual side effects were worse - at the higher dose, I produced almost zero semen and my dick was almost totally nonfunctional. I don't actually know if it helped with my schizoaffective disorder because my symptoms come and go unpredictably. I also gained 30 lbs."

• Hor...
• June 16, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "While on Invega, I used to have tremors, shake every day, couldn't focus, was constipated for a month, my belly was swollen, my prolactin levels increased drastically, I didn't get my period for months, I was extremely slow, had no sex drive, and had horrible urinary incontinence. When I look at pictures from that time, it is clear that I was sedated, my face changed, I couldn't even open my eyes properly. Everybody thought that I was weird. I didn't know that urinary incontinence was caused by this drug, but now I see that it is a common side effect. It was so stressful being on this drug, DON'T TAKE THIS HORRIBLE INJECTION. Worst years of my life."

• Tea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug robbed me of my entire life, and now, four years later, I still have not recovered. My doctor, who had been working with me for well over a year, changed my diagnosis after a hospitalization. My caseworker assured me that that was the very best medication for this disorder, as others also did. Immediately, I have to say its effect was somewhat 'calming.' Sounds were muffled in my ears, life appeared a bit 'dreamy.' After a couple of months, though, I noticed a drastic drop in my desire to do pretty much anything. And it got that bad that, within six months, I was doing nothing but sitting on the couch in front of a TV all day until I realized it was time to go to bed. My doctor told me to just push through that and I’d be fine. I tried, and it got worse. Lost my entire sex drive and interest in everything I once enjoyed: church, being a father, mission trips, camping, canoeing on the rivers in the spring and fall, bonfires, beers, babes, ball games, work. It robbed me of my whole life."

• Tea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2022

"I was on these shots for 9 months for bipolar disorder, and it caused me to gain weight. I couldn't cry or feel much of any emotion, really. I also have multiple sclerosis, and it affected my ability to blink. I had difficulty swallowing, almost making me choke on my food. I began to have an abnormal gait problem that affects my work on a daily basis. My libido was severely low. My hair started to fall out, and my skin was so dry I had a layer of dandruff even though I washed my hair normally. The skin on my legs and feet was peeling. I also had involuntary facial movements. This medication really messed me up, and I'm trying my best to recover from all the damage. I don't think anyone should be on this medication, they make money off of your suffering. Just don't do it."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2010

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been hearing voices for 2.5 years. Initially, I had severe emotional swings and delusions created by the voices and my interaction with them. I began taking Invega 18 months ago - this was very successful in moderating the emotions and generally calming my mental state. In terms of side effects: I am really struggling to lose any weight even with a good diet and exercise, I have very high prolactin levels - this contributes to me not getting periods, having occasional breast discharge, and I believe is responsible for 'anorgasmia' - where I have very low sexual desire and arousal, and feelings of orgasm are very subdued. These side effects have become more apparent over time."

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 13, 2023

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I love this drug. It saved my life. The only bad side effect is I can't sleep and have no sex drive, but this drug took the voices away and no paranoia anymore. I love it, it made my life a million times better. I would probably be dead by now if I had stayed on the other meds I was on. I go out all the time, and I have totally learned to take care of myself. I don't feel like my brain is foggy like the other drugs I've been on. I was really depressed for years and tried killing myself four times on the other drugs I have been on. Invega has totally taken my depression away. I am happy for the longest period of my life. I had a mental illness for 29 years and was depressed for 25 of the years, but since I have been on the Invega, no depression at all. Invega is the best thing that has ever happened in my life."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "As soon as I took this drug, I was happy enough. The rushing thoughts began to subdue. I will say one thing - if you're going to take this, be careful, there are some sucky side effects like weight gain. I didn't get the weight gain, but I did get low libido, and it got a little better once I stopped taking it completely and went back on. I still have some high blood pressure, high white blood cell count, and high cholesterol, so watch that. So that's all my side effects. One more thing: don't let these punks mess you around - once you're on it, they might try making your life a drug-induced nightmare. It's your body, your choice, if it works, you will know. If you're really bad, stick to a low dose and test if it's the right drug for you. Then you're not going to get one: addicted and two: not aware of if it's the right drug for you. I'm on a 3 mg tablet now, and I hope to go cold turkey soon after 6 months. Wish me luck."

• DTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Invega did work to keep me from relapsing into psychosis. Also, the injection makes it ideal for people who might tend to forget or stop taking medication. I have had some minor issues like diminished sex drive (also times when I couldn't produce any semen), blurry vision, and weight gain. However, soon after taking this medication, I developed a depression. My depression has varied from severe mental agony for entire days to its current more anhedonic state. It is debilitating, to say the least. After holding on for five months, I will try to switch back to Seroquel, which in the past has left me more stable while also getting rid of any symptoms related to psychosis. I am, however, not sure how much of the depression was caused by this medication."

• som...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2023

For Schizophrenia "It works very well for the positive symptoms like the paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. It's also good for being hassle-free since you can work up to getting one injection every six months. Personally, though, the sexual dysfunction killed it for me, so I had it changed. You should personally weigh the pros and cons and see if it's worth it for you."

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2022

"I've been on this since December 2021 for bipolar disorder. It makes me feel dysphoria, and it has destroyed my sex drive. I can't feel emotions. I feel numbness and pain. I feel dumb. It has more bad than good."

• Wom...
• November 17, 2021

For Schizophrenia "Invega ruined my life until I actioned by myself the switch to another antipsychotic. Any side effects mean that the meds are not really working to treat the mental illness. I stopped sleeping for 3 years straight and gained so much weight I looked like a mutant. My body and face. I lost both my menstruation and sex drive, so it was like sterilized. Well, I stopped living my life, obviously. I couldn't even get out of bed for those years. And I was totally going crazy. Much worse than before my diagnosis. I believe my psychiatrist gets kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies, so he doesn't really prescribe as a doctor. My new meds, just another antipsychotic, still leave me with chronic insomnia, but I fought for sleeping pills by now. And the rest, I am back to ME all the way."

• Rob...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 6, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have taken Invega for 10 years on and off. It does stop the mood problems and psychosis, but at what cost? I'm 334 lbs and was 250 lbs when I started. I have lost sexual function. I have night terrors, and for years I have had panic attacks. I am an insomniac because sleep is the worst. I sleep two hours and wake up. Then I wait till I'm tired again and sleep. I haven't slept 8 hours in 4 years. I'm diabetic now. This ought to tell you how bad schizophrenia is--I still take the medicine and never plan to stop. I'm about to get a bachelor's degree in two months and have had straight A's for a year. This is the best medicine I've gotten yet. When are we going to do better with pharmacy?"