Invega Sustenna and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• SKE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I got this in the mental hospital for the first time. Immediately, my mood became much more positive. After about 2 months, I really started to benefit from it. The noises/voices/paranoia disappeared, and I was able to start full-time employment after losing several jobs and applying for disability. I do notice that about a week before I’m due for my monthly injection, I start to get some symptoms again. I also notice that my memory is much worse than it was before, but I’ve been trying to keep my mind active by reading, playing games, and working. I don’t know if I have schizophrenia (I was diagnosed as bipolar at the hospital, but the doctor seriously sucked so bad), but I would guess I do, given the symptoms. Before this medication, I would hear things, see things, and would be extremely paranoid. Now, I’m happy and able to take charge of my life. I will say that I have gained a lot of weight (up to 300 lbs from 265 lbs before the hospital)."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2023

For Schizophrenia "I changed to Invega Sustenna because other medications caused weight gain. I was taking 100 mg and 75 mg of Invega Sustenna, and it caused severe depression and made me suicidal. The doctor didn't recognize these to be side effects. I have decreased the dosage to 50 mg now, and I'm still very flat. I find it hard to think, to remember, to find any joy or interest in life. I still get suicidal and am depressed."

• 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."

• jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 8, 2023

For Schizophrenia "I’ve been on this for about 6 months, and my biggest side effect is weight gain. I’ve put on 100 lbs. I also have a constant runny nose and can’t stop sneezing in the sun. The medication changes the way I am, the way I think. I’m not as clear-headed, I pace a lot and sometimes have trouble speaking. It has eliminated my hallucinations and delusions."

• 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."

• the...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Invega Sustenna made me sicker than I was already sick, it does not work. Was put on just about all antipsychotics. They will make you sick, gain 10 lbs in a month. I went off it, no weight loss, and caused withdrawal. The weight gain is permanent."

• 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"

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been taking Invega (117) for 3 years after a serious mental breakdown and being court committed to the psych ward against my will. I am diagnosed with bipolar and schizoaffective disorder. I was hallucinating, talking to myself and to my hallucinations, manic, angry, and delusional. This drug has really helped me. Although I gained a lot of weight and lost my sex drive, all of my hallucinations and delusions have completely stopped! I feel like it has improved my life. I actually do not mind the side effects and am grateful that I can now live a calm and peaceful life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 28, 2016

For Schizophrenia "Gained weight. Too much. Fear of cholesterol and diabetes. Less work. Lost a girlfriend."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 14, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was on this medicine for a little over a year, and I gained almost 100 pounds. I slept all the time, and my emotions felt numb."

• Dot...
• August 4, 2014

For Schizophrenia "Very high smoking sensation, weight gain, tiredness, and insomnia. But it's the best antipsychotic med for me."

• Ros...
• September 7, 2016

For Schizophrenia "This medication is weird, it basically shuts down your brain, you will become a zombie after this medication. Gained 100 lbs, stabilizes mood and so expensive."

• Uns...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Worst drug ever. Weight gain a lot and sexual dysfunction."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug definitely helps with paranoia and delusions. However, it causes memory loss, weight gain, and emotional numbing. I have gained 12 pounds in 3 weeks."

• Gol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 5, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Gained 65 lbs in about two years, but it stops the poltergeist."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2023

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Made me feel like a zombie, made me fat. Voices and episodes were still frequent enough."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 16, 2025

For Schizophrenia "I have been on Invega for 10 years. I have cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight gain. This drug is very strong."