Invega Sustenna and Hormonal Changes: What Users Say

• Rem...
• October 14, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I took 6 injections over a 6-month period. I didn't notice much in the first couple of months. It helped with the paranoia, I still heard voices to a lesser extent. Around the 5th month, I had noticed I gained 50 lbs (115 to 165). It happened so rapidly. I also began to lactate. That was all horrible, but the worst of it was the severe anhedonia. They wanted to slowly taper me off the injection, but I refused to take any more after the 6-month period. I felt mentally slower. I got no pleasure from listening to music or watching TV. I stopped laughing. This is just my personal experience, but if you look up this medicine, you will find there are many people who have gone through a similar experience. It's been 14 months since my last injection, and I think I have mentally fully recovered. I think this drug is too potent. I am almost certain it gave me some sort of brain damage. One of the biggest regrets of my life is taking this drug, I was better off before."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have felt very tired and just lethargic and lost interest in the Bible, which I once loved with a great passion. No one will take me at my word, and I have tried to get off this medication, but the doctor and my family won't let me even after I told them how much I don't like it. I have no periods, have high prolactin, and hand tremors in my right hand. Feel like sleeping all the time and would do anything to stop taking this medication. It is poison and should be taken off the market and never given to anyone. I'd rather hear voices than feel like I do on this medication."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 29, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "While the Invega Sustenna negated my psychosis, I have experienced anhedonia and lactation due to raised prolactin levels. I can't enjoy music or anything else for that matter. I also now have a tic where I have to move my mouth, I don't know if it's medication-related. I get my period once every three months and have lowered sexual pleasure. I feel like this drug took any enjoyment out of life, and I'd rather be on something else as my symptoms are not severe and Invega is not good."

• The...
• May 11, 2018

"Invega tortured me. My life was ruined. The drs (lowercase on purpose) will never admit the side effects greatly outweigh the benefits (there are none). It is a chemical lobotomy. It helps the same way getting part of your brain taken out helps with the symptoms. Severe akathisia, low testosterone for four months, feeling like muscles are dying (they shrunk a ton), fat gain, high prolactin, destroyed my metabolism, impulsive outbursts. My dr didn't even know the half-life was as long as it was. It stays in your system for ages. There are so many tales of misdiagnosis. If you live in a state where they can force you to continue the torture at home, then I recommend you submit a daily vlog."

• h0m...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 8, 2018

For Schizophrenia "So I've been on this medication since 2014. Diagnosed with schizophrenia back in 2011 when I told doctors I was visited by spirits at a young age. They didn't believe me, though I swear on my life it is true. Anyway, I was on 150 mg. Had the worst side effects you could imagine. Very high prolactin levels, lactating from my breasts, amenorrhea, absolutely no motivation at all, pretty much glued to my bed & phone. So they adjusted my dose twice, and now I am feeling a bit better. Not a lot better, though I would say. They say that a schizophrenia diagnosis is something you deal with for life, so I would be careful what you tell your doctors. You could be on medication for life."

• Ton...
• June 3, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Before my psychotic break that turned into a delusional police chase, I was manic, terribly delusional, thought the devil was everywhere I went, thought people were after me, thought the devil controlled electronics and the internet. Just too many bad symptoms, and after receiving the Invega injection, I've been told that I was more outgoing and had absolutely no symptoms. But the side effects suck, such as high prolactin levels, which resulted in low testosterone, anhedonia, and lower emotions."

• Mon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2023

For Schizophrenia "I feel the 150 mg injection is too high a dose for me, but I do not experience symptoms of schizophrenia on it. The side effects I experience from the medication are high prolactin, sedation, drooling during sleep, palpitations, weight gain, flat affect, and lack of interest in everything, unlike when I was on the 3 mg tablet. I want to return to my lower dose tablet to lose the weight I have gained and to regain the autonomy around taking my medication."

• Van...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2022

For Schizophrenia "I love Invega. It has helped me with my schizophrenia 100%. No more delusional thoughts and paranoia. No more of this fearful feeling. My life is bright and back to normal. I've been taking it for 2 years. The only side effect I've had is hyperproteinemia. It stopped my periods, had liquid coming out of my breast. You know... symptoms of high prolactin levels. So my doctor put me on Abilify along with a lower dose of Invega Sustenna, and within a month and a half, I had my period and my prolactin went back to normal. I never want to get off this injection because it REALLY took away my mental health problems. I would definitely recommend. Works like a miracle."

• Mon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2023

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Since taking Invega Sustenna 150 mg, 4 weekly injections, I have gained 10 kg even though I was eating a raw and plant-based diet. I have a flat affect, anhedonia, weight gain, high prolactin, and amenorrhea. I am also feeling slowed in my thinking and lack the motivation or inspiration to do anything. My psychiatrist refuses to put me back on the 3 mg tablet, which I thrived on without symptoms for over a decade. I researched my illness, and now that I have insight into my illness, I should be allowed to remain stable on a less lobotomizing medication dose for Schizoaffective Disorder."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2025

"I didn't want to go into too much detail, but I haven’t seen anyone else on here write about this as an off-label drug for just bipolar, so. I don't know where to start; let’s just say I’m super sensitive to like every medication. If I counted right, this is my 12th med change in the past 2 years. We tried this one off-label in an effort to find something, anything, that my body tolerates and that also keeps me out of mania. Well, I tried Zyprexa in the past and lost my period on it for a full 6 months before we finally decided to come off because I’d also gained 40 pounds in like 4 months. Anyways, I was hesitant to try this drug because I knew that it also makes prolactin levels high. We put me on the smallest dose possible, and here I am two weeks later, and I am lactating. My prolactin level when I drew my blood today was at a 65. For reference, I am 19 years old, and as a 19-year-old woman, it shouldn’t be higher than 20. Prior to the drug, it was only at like a resting 7.t"