Invega Sustenna and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was prescribed Invega Sustenna on my 5th hospital stay for bipolar and schizoaffective episodes. I wasn’t responding to the oral medications, and I have compliance issues with taking oral meds anyway. Like most people who have already commented, my experience with this drug has been horrible. Yes, it stopped the hallucinations, but it has robbed me of my emotions. I feel flat all the time, I gained weight, my hair fell out, I lost my sex drive and my ability to orgasm. I have anhedonia and avolition, I cannot socialize anymore, I can barely contribute to a conversation, I’m barely caring for myself (not cooking, not cleaning)... I am like a child. This medication is terrible in my opinion, I would not recommend it. I’d rather live with the occasional hallucination than all of the side effects Invega has caused."

• Ean...
• May 17, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Worst experience of my life. I can't describe all of the side effects I had on Invega Sustenna in 1000 characters, but my mind was disturbingly blank on this medication. It was as if all of my conscious thoughts were gone. I gained 25 pounds even though I just got the initial dose & lost muscle. My delusions did go away so it worked for that, but it felt like it was because my thoughts stopped. I've gotten 4 sprains and one pulled muscle since I got injected with this 'poison' at the end of August last year. My skin started flaking off and my hair was falling out. I couldn't feel any emotions. I was unable to orgasm for the first month. There were more side effects, and I don't think I fully conveyed the desperation I felt on this medication. I would like to let people who have gotten on it and hate it that there is hope and you will get better - once you are off it."

• Bae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Where do I start with the side effects of Invega Sustenna? Sexual dysfunction, yes, my penis is useless, I feel like a 2-year-old. I have severe anhedonia (loss of pleasure), I have put on 20 kg, I sleep for 11-12 hours a day, and just overall feel terrible. My memory is horrible, I’m depressed, and I just feel like I am not living some days. Whatever you do, do not take this drug. Other antipsychotic drugs are better, they don’t all have the same effects, so just try aiming elsewhere."

• Tom...
• December 5, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I had a psychotic episode from drug use. They made me take an injection, and I feel like it was the worst drug possible. I honestly can't explain how bad the side effects are. You get a weird smell, irregular heartbeat, no energy, no sex drive, and you feel dizzy all the time. I am off of it now, and I am hoping I can feel better again."

• Fra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Do not take this medicine. So far, I have lost all my ambition, energy, personality, and my emotions. I am tired all the time and have random muscle spasms all through my body. It makes it really hard to feel things, I feel like I have to try to feel things. It's really weird. I have been taking the injection for six months now, and I'm a complete zombie. I have no social life, sex drive, or imagination. This medicine destroys the human body, it is poison and needs to be discontinued. I'd much rather hear voices and hallucinate than be on this medication."

• poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medication is the worst. Do not take it. You will have no feelings, no thoughts, no sex drive. Please do not take this drug in any circumstance. It does not help at all. It actually makes you worse. It makes you lose your mind on the daily. It makes you hallucinate daily. You don't want that. Do not take this medication in shot or pill form. 0 stars. Horrible drug. Way too expensive and does not work at all."

• div...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Bad drug, it increases prolactin levels by a lot. In fact, this drug ranks among the highest drugs that increase serum prolactin levels, and a massive increase in prolactin levels reduces your testosterone by a handful. Don't expect to have a baby while on this medication. Don't expect an erection. Don't even bother with sex drive, that's for losers anyway. A massive decrease in libido. In short, this drug, among a few other antipsychotics, will leave you feeling like a mix between a two-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl."

• Ich...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have taken this drug Invega Sustenna for a few years, and while it did help to stabilize my mood, it completely got rid of my sex drive and sperm production. I will no longer be taking this horrible abomination of a drug and will instead rely on people who I am close to for support. P.S. On a side note, now that I have been off this medication for a few months, I have noticed my sex drive is back!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I started taking this medication as a monthly injection for hearing voices/paranoia, and I took it for about 6 months. It made me gain 40 lbs, I lost all sex drive, my mind became foggy, and I felt mentally slower. I also got severe anhedonia and became unable to feel the effects of alcohol and cigarettes. I don't recommend this medication to anyone. I've been off it for 4 months and am still dealing with the side effects of this medication. I will say that it did reduce the voices significantly, but only because it's such a powerful mind-numbing drug. I would advise trying something else if you really need a medication. Basically, a chemical lobotomy."

• Bra...
• July 11, 2018

"I was mistreated with Invega when I got sent to a hospital for having a manic episode due to taking over-the-counter pills that had caused me not to sleep for 3 days. It has completely taken away my personality, who I am as a person, my social life, my sex drive. It feels like a huge piece of me is missing, and I will never get it back. DON'T let anyone inject you with this."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I was injected twice with Invega Sustenna. I had no sex drive, no emotion, no pleasure for the first three weeks. I was miserable, and it lasted 8 to 9 months off the drug. I wouldn't recommend this drug to anybody. I am on Abilify Maintena now, and I am feeling much better. 0/10 Invega Sustenna."

• Dar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 24, 2021

For Schizophrenia "Miserable all the time on these Invega injections from several side effects. I'm mentally blank like poverty in thoughts. I'll sit around a lot staring at TV while mindless. I have no emotions except anxiety and akathisia, which is chronic restlessness. I take Inderal blood pressure medication to treat akathisia. Feel like an emotionless robot going through the motions and barely alive. Poor memory, focus, learning, and concentration. Feel physically numb. Gained 40 pounds. No sex drive and no libido. No interest and motivation to do anything."

• Dar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 24, 2021

For Schizophrenia "Miserable all the time on these Invega injections from several side effects. I'm mentally blank like poverty in thoughts. I'll sit around a lot staring at TV while mindless. I have no emotions except anxiety and akathisia, which is chronic restlessness. I take Inderal blood pressure medication to treat akathisia. Feel like an emotionless robot going through the motions and barely alive. Poor memory, focus, learning, and concentration. Feel physically numb. Gained 40 pounds. No sex drive and no libido. No interest and motivation to do anything."

• sae...
• May 7, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I've been on this drug/medicine for about two years, and it has caused a lot of problems in my life. It barely helped with the auditory hallucinations such as the voices and paranoia. I feel like a zombie all the time, really tired, drained of energy, and like my brain is slowed down. I've had little to no sex drive (sexual dysfunction) and have no pleasure from sex. Within the first couple of weeks of getting the injection of Invega Sustenna every month, I get muscle stiffness in my neck, arms, and hands. I feel like I can't breathe, along with a rapid heartbeat and a fever. I become confused, unable to function, dizzy, and lightheaded. This happens two to three times a month within a few weeks after getting the injection. I believe it might be because of NMS (neuroleptic malignant syndrome), which is a rare side effect of the drug/medicine that might cause death. This is a horrible drug/medicine for me. I'm going to try a different medicine from a different doctor and hope for the best."

• 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."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 20, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was placed on Invega Sustenna after having a violent psychotic episode. I attempted suicide in a very violent manner and went back to the psych ward after surgery. They placed me on a 156 mg injection once a month. Since being on the injection, I’ve experienced slight weight gain, loss of euphoria I used to get from using drugs like alcohol, weed, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and also the inability to “trip” from using psychedelics. Also, loss of sex drive. Most importantly, though... I no longer have the constant thoughts of wanting to end my life or hurt others. All things said, though, I have decided to remain on Invega injections, sacrificing all the wonderful highs I used to get from dope because I’m afraid that if I stop taking Invega, I might have another psychotic break and that the BEAST inside me could drive me to commit violence on myself or others. If Invega makes me non-violent, non-sexual, docile, and stable, then I say it is a good drug."

• DoN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2022

"First off, your psychiatrist only gives this drug to you if he doesn’t like you. Threatened to sue my psychiatrist and argued with him while hospitalized before injected. After just one injection of this drug, you will no longer get morning wood, you won’t feel anything in your nether region, and you will barely get hard with erection pills. You will also gain 50+ pounds, and every woman will leave you when they realize you have the sexual function of a toddler. Your brain won’t know what “horny” feels like, you will lose all your friends, and you will be unable to laugh or cry anymore. You will just stop caring about anything anymore. This drug doesn’t care how in shape or sexual you are. It will destroy your sexual function as a male for good and turn you into a slug with no purpose. Your dick and balls will go from being a grape into a raisin. Taking this drug is basically a life sentence that ends with you dying alone while everyone tells you it’s all in your head."

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Let’s start off by saying it causes bloating. I hate the feeling. I have been dieting and exercising but no results after eating. I have no sex drive, tiredness, no emotion, and lack of energy. I also don’t want to leave the house. This shot has worked for my voices, but the side effects are worse. Hopefully getting off of it soon."

• 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."

• Mil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 18, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I've been taking Invega (all forms) since 2011. I have to say it is a godsend. Risperdal and Abilify gave me sexual dysfunction. This at least allows me to get an erection. It's done a great job at controlling my positive symptoms of schizophrenia. The voices are dulled down to the point of single sentences and like only 1-4 times a day, so it's a lot more manageable in day-to-day life. Started on Sustenna, went on the tablets, and now on Trinza. All versions work very well for me. This medication is the metabolite form of Risperdal, and it's a godsend. It's easier on the liver, and I highly recommend Sustenna and Trinza as the forms to take for schizophrenia/schizoaffective!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 7, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I don't know why they started me on 156 mg, but I couldn't think straight on such a high dose, and I was sleeping 16 hours a day. Zero libido, dizzy spells, acne, plus 50 pounds of weight gain. I lowered my injection 3 times to now 39 mg, the lowest dose. Less acne, still fat, still zero libido, but less dizzy. The benefit was that I have zero delusions."

• Ano...
• March 6, 2019

For Schizophrenia "This has helped with the symptoms of my illness. There are negative symptoms to it though. Foggy emotions, not sure if it’s because of the illness or the med. I am sort of happy now though, but no sex drive, periods, and gained 75 pounds. I took fluphenazine for a couple of months, lost 20 pounds but felt worse than when I was on Invega."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Cons: Invega increased my 'prolactin hormone' 5 times more than the maximum level. Thus, I lost my menstrual cycle for more than one year, sexual dysfunction, depression, sleep disturbances, etc. This drug also lowered my metabolism. As a result, I experienced food coma (falling into deep sleep) after eating food. It also increased my blood sugar. I gained 20 kg in 8 months. Tremor was another side effect of Invega. I was on a 100 mg injection. But, I had no delusion with it!"

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been on this drug since December of 2017, and now it's January 2019, so more than a year. I think it has good and bad effects. It helps me control myself better. I don't blurt out random nonsense anymore like I used to. I don't like the fact that it causes sexual dysfunction and weight gain. I've been taking topiramate for a while now, and I barely eat anything, but my psychiatrist blames my weight gain all on me, even though weight gain clearly is one of the side effects of Invega, as well as other antipsychotics. I noticed I haven't ejaculated as much semen the last few times I came, and I think the Invega is to blame. If it weren't for the sexual dysfunction and weight problems, and also the decreased testosterone due to increased prolactin, I'd say this medicine is not that bad, but because I'm forced to take it, I might as well just suck it up and live with it and accept what I have to live with."

• Aha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Gave me my life back. BEST antipsychotic. Tried many. Felt the most mentally healthy I had in years. Felt like I did before my illness. At first, felt like I couldn't daydream or use my imagination as well. But I soon realized I was feeling inner peace and had the clearest of minds despite that. Used to hear voices, have obsessive intrusive thoughts, had thought broadcasting, delusions, auditory hallucinations, hyper-awareness of thoughts, constant negative commentary, and was used to feeling generally 'bad' always. This was all gone. I was 100% symptom-free and was the most normal I had been in years. Completely nullified all psychotic symptoms. Had a healthy sleep cycle too. But it's not magic, so it didn't synthetically make me happy or disallow me from feeling negative emotion. I still felt pain, and happiness was still rare. But for the most part, I was content and loved my life again. Only con: lost my libido, but I could still have erections. So it was a fair trade-off."