Invega and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "My 8-year-old son was put on Invega 3 mg and then moved up to 6 mg a day. About 1 1/2 months ago after gaining too much weight on risperidone. He gets the dosage on time daily, but since starting Invega, he has had the worst uncontrollable muscle spasms/twitches. He is constantly twitching his arms, neck, and head without knowing he is doing it. Also, he has started making vocal noises (random humming) without noticing he is doing it. I was really hoping the Invega would work, but I think in our case, the side effects are too much to accept, so he will be switching again today."

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I have been on this medication on and off for about 5 months now, and it’s been rough. I can’t think of anything positive to say about it. I can’t sleep, I have to take medicine just to sleep. I have been feeling depressed and unmotivated, and I have gained so much weight. I used to weigh 165 lb, after getting back on this medication, I am now 187 lb after about a couple of weeks. I'd honestly rather have delusions and hear voices than to have life stripped away from me like this. I am not hearing voices, but my doctor still wants to keep me on it. No emotions or feelings on this med, currently on a 156 mg injection."

• Sou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2012

For Schizophrenia "The medicine is partly covered by my insurance company. Current maintenance dosage 3 mg (was 6 mg) Invega. After taking Invega, my positive symptoms vanished completely after a number of weeks, furthermore, I don't get an unreal sense (depersonalization), which was the case with Risperdal. Unfortunately, I got the following side effects (discussed with my physician): - weight gain (8 kilos) - sometimes strange expression around mouth, stiffness - tiredness/weakness, need more sleep - intense dreaming, sometimes nightmares - harder to breathe through nose - increase of ALAT blood values (80) - dizziness after sudden activity - heartburn. For now, the positive effects outweigh the negative effects."

• pil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 10, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I feel great once I swallow Invega. It will make me a little tired at night. Sometimes when I'm hungry and try not to eat, I will get a strong stomachache. Once in a while, I will get suicidal thoughts, but am not dangerous to me or others in any way, they're just thoughts of suicide. When it's hot outside, I tend to feel very hot, and I sweat more, too. It's hard to lose weight on this medication, which is what I hate about this... and I've gained a lot since my pregnancy. My stomach area is inflamed with cortisol... I look horrible with a Santa belly... people always ask me if I'm pregnant, and some even stare. Even if I try not to eat, it is very hard to lose any weight with this medication, and no matter what you eat, you gain weight."

• 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."

• Phy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 23, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I knew within 48 hours that this drug was a game changer. I had been in a 5-year-long depression, sleeping 18-20 hours a day, obese, no writing, no reading. Invega gave me a life. Granted, there is that yucky weight gain-but with Invega, I actually have the energy to go to the gym 4.5 hours a week, so it's (s-l-o-w-l-y) coming off. I can read and write, manage a routine, etc. Granted, there are some times when I get a little muddled, but it's now in the range of 'take a deep breath and start again' as opposed to catastrophic. There might be another drug out there with less severe weight gain, but I wouldn't trade how I mentally feel now for anything. I'll always be fluffy, but I'm happy. That's a fair trade any day!"

• Mic...
• April 20, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "After taking 6 mg Invega for 3 years, I asked my physician what was making me gain so much weight. He told me it was the Invega and suggested I stop taking it. So I stopped taking it the next day! That was horrible advice (to quit cold turkey), but I lost 40 pounds in 2 months. I kept the weight off until I developed psychosis/delusional thinking. After about 6 months and a suicide attempt, I am back on it but shots only. Within 2 months I gained the 40 pounds back and gained an additional 40 lbs, making it a total of 80 lbs gained. Time for something else! I am in pain from bad knees and can hardly walk now. Great mood helper but terrible on the body!"

• 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."

• Nev...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Started this medication 10 years ago at initial diagnosis of schizophrenia, as I had constant hospitalizations. Didn't gain weight, just feel flat and couldn't pay attention to anything requiring attention span of a few minutes. I used to watch Netflix, now I can't sustain more than 5-10 minutes into a movie before I find my mind wandering all over the place. Spoke with my prescriber, and he just repeats that 'Hey, it's worked for others with your disability.' I dread my once-every-three-month injections, as my psychosis seems to peak directly following my injections. Terrible medication, and I feel that surely the prescribers are pocketing something from handing this terrible medication out."

• Whi...
• December 13, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have struggled with horrible voices and delusions for four years, and Invega is like a miracle after I attempted suicide. It took away the voices and delusions. The only problem I have with this drug is the weight gain and sensitivity to cold and heat. I gained 60 pounds in 6 months...it's really hurt my self-esteem, and I'm going to stop taking it next month. Another thing, after the voices stopped, I had visuals and voices late at night and early morning that would wear off 3 months into taking it. My mood also seems a little more irritable but not too bad, and I think I'm starting to have anhedonia, which at first was a giant relief after being so charged and emotionally torn apart with voices, but now I'm starting to feel like it's not the best option. Though I will say, if the voices torture me again, I'll gladly take it again."

• ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I was put on this med while in the hospital. I started having breathing issues (thought I had bronchitis) and rapid weight gain. I went to refill the med after the first month, and the pharmacist noticed that the Invega had bad interactions with one of my other meds and refused to fill it. I'm stepping down, and the breathing issues are lessening, but I'm still having problems with the weight. The days I take it, I am insatiably hungry. It made me feel better mentally, but the rest was rubbish."

• Inv...
• December 14, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Invega 6 mg for about 3 years now. I have gained about 70 extra pounds, and nothing I do seems to drop the weight. Also, it messed with my periods so much that I had to have a hysterectomy. But it does keep my moods stable for the most part. I think it's time for me to start a new medication, though. Because when I do have outbursts, they are really bad. And the depression is still here."

• 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."

• Joe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 14, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been a user since 2008, with a break of one year in the beginning related to my opinion that I am okay now, but unfortunately, the disease was still there. After this break, it's been 11 years that I am normal, I don't hear voices, I have a stable job, with no tension to feel conspiracies towards me. I may have gained some weight in the beginning, then I was too thin, but now I am normal in kilos according to my age of 42. I would propose it to someone who wants to live a normal life. Of course, according to my doctor, it suits me perfectly. May not to other people."

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medicine helps in curing the voices and delusional thoughts that sometimes come with schizoaffective disorders. But the worst side of this medication is complete weight gain. I went from size 2 to 14. It also makes your boobs grow bigger and stops the menstrual periods. The drug stays in the system for a long period of time. I stopped it in May, and it’s been 5 months, but I keep on gaining weight and boobs keep getting bigger and bigger. Worst medication ever! I have to deal with the weight gain, and this causes a lot of insecurities, especially for a lady! But the doctor told me that it gradually comes out of the system with time. So still hoping that my life will get back to normal with time."

• ROM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on Invega Sustenna twice. Once a few years ago, from Jan 2018 to March 2018, and recently one shot in May 2022. Both times for schizoaffective disorder diagnosed based on drug abuse. The first time, I indeed gained weight and felt hopeless throughout the whole process. This last time, I made a change that has been beneficial. So far, I have had 8 weeks since my shot and have lost weight. Especially liver fat. This has been accomplished by doing a ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting. I also added a blended lemon with ACV (apple cider vinegar) and cayenne pepper blended with a glass of water twice daily, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. It is true... you are not in the mood to do anything at all times. All movies are boring, all activities feel like an overwhelming need for energy, which one does not possess. However... losing weight throughout the process this time around has been a tremendous help to boost non-dopamine morale, just cognitive comprehension of self, with no brain reward."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Started getting monthly injections when I was stuck on a psychiatric petition hold for mood disorder and depression. The MD would not let me finally leave unless I started this here stuff with my regimen. It seems to balance me out and I don't need to have a hospital transport nearly as often as I used to. With that being said, 99% of the ambulance rides were forced upon me and they have added significant amounts of debt being taken against my will. But, yes, I plan on continuing this Invega and happy the product was approved by the FDA in the medical unit. I do eat quite a bit and it has made me gain weight since I started, but that's okay I guess. Oh, and run away from those paramedics because they are bullies trying to bring you into more debt. - Thanks for reading."

• Jac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2021

"I was put on this for bipolar disorder. Probably one of the worst drugs you can take for bipolar disorder. You will feel like not doing anything pretty much every day. In other words, it makes you feel like a vegetable. There are so many other medications for bipolar disorder that can be helpful, but this by far is not it. Sure, it probably helps with things like paranoia or maybe even hallucinations, but in return your best friend becomes the couch. Side effects include sleepiness, flattened mood, no drive or motivation. And when you bring this stuff up to the psychiatrist, they'll think it's because of your condition. Not because they're injecting you with pretty much a tranquilizer every month. Oh, and the worst part of it all is the weight gain. Oh man, I gained probably more than 80 pounds on this drug, which is ridiculously hard to lose when my best friend is the couch. This is all based on my experience, and yours might be completely different. Be wary of this med!"

• Nie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "First I was on Zyprexa depot because of manic psychosis in 2016. Then I switched to Invega tabs 12 mg, and I felt a lot better, less zombie feelings, and less weight gain. Now I'm decreasing to 9 mg to see how this will work."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I am on the injection, not sure what mg, but I get it every 3 months. It's been almost a year, and I have gained 40 lbs. I have frequent heartburn, and my cholesterol is high. My feelings are flat, so I don't overreact to things as I used to. And no depression. Sometimes I have very vivid dreams and nightmares. Most days I have no motivation, but some days I have excess energy to get everything done that I need to. I haven't had a menstrual cycle since I started this medication. It has kept the mania and psychosis away, though. And other than all those side effects I listed, I am grateful for this medication. I was one who would miss doses or stop taking my medication altogether and have almost ruined my life several times. Even with all those side effects, I would rather be on Invega than not. It has saved my life."

• Ray...
• April 12, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This drug works for me. I have an injection once a month. First, I was on Abilify, but this drug was not working the way it should. For 'hardcore' schizophrenia, Invega is a very good choice. My libido has plummeted, and I gained some weight. My psychosis is gone. Of course, there are downsides to this drug, but it does what it promises."

• Hig...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 26, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Invega Sustenna for the first year or so had many side effects. I gained a lot of weight. I got acid reflux. I slept a lot. Had trouble with remembering things. But other than that, the medicine works well. It's annoying getting a shot every month, but the insurance pays for it and it's better than being hospitalized. Overall, it's not bad, but I wish I had a lower dose, 117 mg instead of 156 mg."

• shr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 1, 2025

For Schizophrenia "I won't lie, I don't like this med. I'm not myself. But I've tried like all the other meds, and this is the only one that works. I can't clean anything on this med, but after attacking my dad and going to jail for it, I've decided I'll take it. The other meds that supposedly cause less weight gain only halfway treated me, so I was walking around not understanding what people were saying all the way. After 1 year on the drug, although I can't clean a single thing in my house, I will admit the delusions of grandeur are leaving me."