Invega Sustenna User Reviews & Ratings
Invega Sustenna has an average rating of 4.0 out of 10 from a total of 177 reviews on Drugs.com. 26% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 62% reported a negative experience.
Condition | Avg. Rating | Reviews | Compare |
---|---|---|---|
Schizophrenia | 100 reviews for Schizophrenia | 56 medications | |
Schizoaffective Disorder | 77 reviews for Schizoaffective Disorder | 23 medications |
Reviews for Invega Sustenna
- The...
- December 31, 2020
For Schizophrenia "This drug rendered me bedridden with no interest in life. I went from being an opinionated, funny guy that could read your emotions and make just about anyone laugh, or at least smirk. I've always been very emotional, and this drug sucked my soul, will to live, and emotions right out of me. I'm left an empty shell of who I was. This drug is referred to as a chemical lobotomy for a good reason. It shuts down all free thoughts, the voice in your head, your conscience disappears. With nothing to say, no interest in anything, no thoughts, no emotions, you as a person just about stop existing. No feeling of gratitude, accomplishment, satisfaction. Your thought process and basic decision-making skills are destroyed. I've been off this drug for about 5 months now, and I'm not seeing too much relief. The fear of 'being like this forever' is a constant fear that never lets up, since this isn't a life, this is merely existing. My plea and advice to you? Stay away from this medicine."
- 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."
Frequently asked questions
- How long does Invega Sustenna take to work?
- Can you drink alcohol while taking Invega Sustenna?
- Invega Sustenna vs Invega Trinza vs Invega Hafyera. What's the difference?
- How to transition to Invega Trinza from Invega Sustenna ?
- 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."
- 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."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Nak...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 18, 2021
For Schizophrenia "To anyone who has lost their life like I have to this drug, what is the recovery wait time when you stop it? Does this ever get better? Do I ever get the sensitivity in my penis back? Is there any way to treat it? 3 months ago, I took my last of 2 Invega injections and I would be thankful for positivity from this nightmare of a lifestyle I have. I lost my instinctive tendencies and so many more side effects a lot like I’ve been reading and just would like to know, does it get better? It feels like my instincts were taken away, and I have to put a lot more effort into focusing on things."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- September 28, 2020
For Schizophrenia "I've taken this for 3 and a half years and I noticed I have a ridiculously bad memory. I will start a sentence 'I remember this one time,' then I won't know what I was talking about in mid-sentence - I forget what I'm talking about. I don't know if I have a sex drive because I have no partner, and I gained 40 lbs. I don't have an appetite, I don't feel hungry, yet still I'm overweight, probably because my body thinks it's starving and I gain weight when I do eat. I have to make myself eat what feels like gross food even though it's good food. I have no feelings, my emotions are numb. This medication did help my paranoia though. I've become fat and forgetful."
More FAQ
- Does Invega Sustenna need to be refrigerated?
- How do you give an Invega Sustenna injection?
- How to transition to Invega Hayfera from Invega Trinza or Invega Sustenna?
- bd1...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 15, 2018
For Schizophrenia "If I could rate this medication a 0, I would. Going on this medication was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I have bipolar I disorder and suffered a severe manic episode that didn’t respond to Seroquel or Risperdal. The psychiatrist prescribed me Invega, and while it got rid of my mania and psychosis, it completely altered my personality. I had absolutely no emotion at all. I did not feel any sort of joy or happiness. Not to mention, I gained at least 20 pounds (I’m a very active 24-year-old). The suicidal thoughts were so severe that I needed to be hospitalized. The absolute worst part is that even when you stop Invega, it stays in your system for months. It has an extremely long half-life. If you want to be a zombie and lose interest in everything you ever loved, then take this medicine. If you’d like to be a productive member of society, avoid this medication at all costs. Find another medicine."
- 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."
- 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."
- Blk...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 30, 2019
For Schizophrenia "The one positive effect of this drug (Invega Sustenna 150 mg every 4 weeks) is that it controls my hallucinations and delusions. But the trade-off is really hard to bear. I’ve lost all the joy in my life, the anhedonia is so bad that I have to live in a constant state of pretending to be happy because I am now unable to feel any kind of happiness or pleasure, especially from activities I once enjoyed very much. I can’t recall things and my memories have evaporated. I feel blunted and flat all the time. I can’t function in a meaningful way, and feel more depressed than I ever have in my life. I’ve gained lots of weight, lost muscle tone, yet I feel agitated like I want to jump out of my skin all the time. Being on this medication is a living nightmare. I am 43 and feel like life has come to a screeching halt."
- Jan...
- August 31, 2019
For Schizoaffective Disorder "I honestly feel like I've been misdiagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, but I've been taking this medication for almost two years. Currently at 117 mg every four weeks. I feel like I've become a completely different person than before I started Invega Sustenna. I have no passion for anything, no emotion, no ideas or input or anything to say to anyone, and my energy for life overall is just flat. So flat. I constantly feel like I only do things to appease people and appear like a normal person. Only the people closest to me, like my family, recognize that I'm no longer the person I used to be. I have hopes that I'll be able to stop this medication someday... and that when I stop, I'll be able to recollect whatever is left of who I used to be. I don't know if I'd recommend this medication. But if you ever find yourself on it, take note of your side effects earlier on so you have a record of it to tell your psychiatrist. Then maybe stopping will be easier, if that's what you want to do."
- 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."
- Sky...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 21, 2019
"If I could give this a 0 rating, I would. This drug has completely ruined my life. It was given to me so that I could leave the hospital sooner, and just like anyone else, I desperately wanted to leave. So I was given the loading dose of 254 mg and 156 mg (never have I made a worse decision in my life...) It's been 3 months and since then I have lost my memory completely, can hardly remember what I ate for dinner last night. I've lost my social skills and sense of humor, I've lost my personality, I've lost my love for smoking weed, I've lost a crazy amount of muscle mass—giving me stretch marks all over my biceps, I've lost my erections at the age of 19."
- Jid...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- October 9, 2021
For Schizophrenia "I was misdiagnosed due to an incident. Ever since I got this injection, I’ve been feeling less of myself. I’ve gained weight, at least 90 lbs, no emotion, barely sleep at night (5 hours), foggy mind, can’t think, bad concentration, less dopamine, shortness of breath, no creativity, and no personality. What’s the point of having a medicine that has worse side effects than the problem?"
- bec...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- March 23, 2020
For Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been on this drug Invega Sustenna for the last 5 years. I've gained 65 lbs, I'm 5'4" tall. I'm restless, have liver problems, memory problems. I don't know which symptoms it is treating. I do not hallucinate. I originally got diagnosed with bipolar disorder 23 years ago because I could not sleep at night. This drug is horrible, and there are no benefits from it."
- NKa...
- November 18, 2019
For Schizoaffective Disorder "At first, it didn't seem that bad taking Invega. I got the shot once a month. I was in the psych ward for paranoia and delusions. Hallucinations had subsided. They told me they would hold me at the V.A. for four months if I didn't take the shot. They used psychological manipulation to get me to 'agree.' Six months later, I'm 60 lbs overweight, depressed, and tired beyond belief. All I want to do is lay down and close my eyes. Today I woke up about 11:00 a.m., got out of bed for an hour, went and laid back down till about 4 p.m., then got up to make myself something to eat, then laid down till 6, got up for another hour, then right back to bed. This is my daily routine on this nightmarish drug. I'm taking one class in school and can't afford to withdraw off of it right now, but in a month I will graduate and finally get off this terrible drug forever. It makes me want to do nothing in life, nor could I work taking this medication. It has ruined a year of my life. I'd rather have symptoms."
- Jas...
- January 30, 2019
"Never EVER take this med for bipolar. I was given this medication for bipolar, and it was given to me at the highest dose for 8 months. I felt like a zombie, felt numb, lost my period, gained 70 lbs., and developed hyperprolactinemia and PCOS. I possibly even have a worse disease now. I want to sue."
- Jun...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 3, 2019
For Schizoaffective Disorder "If you want your life back and want to finally quit hearing the voices, believing the delusions that persist in your head and just be able to live a “normal” life, then this medication is absolutely for you. You will overeat, gain a little weight, have restless nights, and sleep all afternoon, you will have restless leg syndrome where you just can’t sit still. It takes about a month and a half for side effects to diminish. I’m so thankful to finally be happy again and be able to hold down a job. Those dark voices are gone. I don’t read a news article and believe I spoke to the President of the United States personally anymore. Now I wake up every day with just a calm, happy persona both internally and externally. The best part is that it’s only a once-a-month injection. I’ll tell you that on the day of the shot I do still get a little dizzy and tired, so I usually request off the entire day so I can relax. But even my family has noticed the huge change in me."
- 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."
- Fin...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 24, 2019
For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was in denial about my illness for about 8 years before I finally went to the hospital by police escort (with the help of my family). I had lost my marriage, couldn’t do my job, and I couldn’t figure out why all this was happening to me. The doctor at the hospital ordered the Invega Sustenna injection, and it completely turned my life around. 5 years later, I’m in a great relationship, and I’ve been able to go back to school, earning A’s in my classes. People like me again. I did try to go off of the medication last year with the help of my doctor to see if having children would be possible. We have to do more homework on our options because I was only able to stay off for 6 months after the taper. For me, I’m very thankful for this medication. Yes, I gained 20 pounds, but that isn’t terrible when I consider that I’m no longer hurting the people who care about me."
- Yes...
- March 11, 2019
For Schizophrenia "This medicine is horrible. Every time I take it, I am unable to work out. I can't even run a mile, I am so weak. I get restless leg syndrome, fatigue, weight gain, and blurred vision. I'm done taking medicine, sick of it."
- 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."
- Fer...
- September 9, 2018
For Schizophrenia "It works! But you have to want it too. Mental illness is an illness of the brain. The mind... So you have to couple your taking of available meds and therapy. You have to change the way your mind works and thinks. Think on purpose for up to an hour a day by repeating a phrase or quote such as if you're a voice hearer, repeat up to an hour a day (I cannot hear voices, they aren't real) x repeat. Fish oil, good sleep, eat healthy, and exercise every other day. Look after yourself and work your thought life out. I have schizophrenia, bipolar, and depression and hold 2 small businesses that I run for most of my workweek (Music Studio owner/operator and Stock Market Trader). I've had schizophrenia for 14 years, and for 7 of those years ran a highly successful business where I used to live (talking 7 figures). EAT healthy! THINK right, exercise, and do what you know you should! Positive, positive, positive. You CAN do this!"
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Invega Trinza, Invega Hafyera, Erzofri
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Invega Trinza, Invega Hafyera, Erzofri
For Schizophrenia "I got this shot by doctors that had no clue, and I had no idea what I got. This shot gave me lower IQ, worse memory, slower thinking, loss of emotions, depression, high level of prolactin, erectile dysfunction, no sperm at all, and also anxiety. My memory used to be extremely good, and I had high IQ, but now I have a hard time remembering things, and my IQ dropped significantly on IQ tests. I'm going to report them to the police and file a lawsuit. All of this by a shot I shouldn't have gotten at all. Ban it, please, and don't let others go through the same hell as I did."