Paliperidone 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."

• Any...
• February 1, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I’m currently writing with trembles in my hands and muscle stiffness. I had a nervous breakdown and classified bipolar NIGHTMARE BEGAN. I have extreme paranoia, lost my job because Invega destroyed my hand coordination, TD (I believe I have permanent brain damage), sexual dysfunction, muscle stiffness, tremors in my whole body, hands shaking, face twitching, curling fingers. I can’t hold down food, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal, antisocial, no emotions, removed from relationships, no periods, infertile at this point, no sleep in 3 months, pacing, blurry vision, absolute chemical lobotomy - fear of body deteriorating. 39 years old, hard to find the energy just to stay alive. Everything in my body is dry. I’m a nervous wreck. Detoxing: I was trying to restart my body - No change in 2 months. Instead, have early signs of Parkinson’s."

• Dad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started taking this medication for 3 months after I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and it has ruined my life. I now have trouble speaking, I'm always anxious, I can barely concentrate on anything, I'm depressed and sleeping a lot, and I no longer get erections and have trouble producing semen. I have been off of it for 2 months, and I'm still dealing with the side effects. This is the worst thing I have ever been on, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

• 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."

• Nse...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I was forced to take Invega after a spiritual emergence was diagnosed as schizophrenia, bipolar, and schizoaffective disorder. I had the initial dose of 256mg, I believe, then 150mg for four months. My last shot was in August 2018. By the second shot, my thoughts had stopped. I could no longer think. It shut off my consciousness. My memory and retaining information have been affected. I developed anhedonia. I can no longer feel any emotion. I have no libido or menstrual cycles. I haven't had an appetite in 4 months. I have no desire to eat or get pleasure from it. I have insomnia. I believe this medicine has caused brain damage. Other drugs have reduced or no effectiveness such as cannabis, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and sleep medication. This drug has a half-life of 25-49 days. So it's going to take at least a year before it is completely out of my system."

• Dou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Suffering and miserable on this drug Invega. I take 117mg monthly injections. The frequent side effects I get are thoughtless, emotionless, akathisia, anxiety, a lot of difficulty with memory, focus and concentration like I can't learn much. Unmotivated, I sit around a lot feeling numb and mentally blank. Increased depression, dead sex drive or no interest in sex. Weight gain."

• bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was sent to the hospital this January, with a plan of suicide after a big meth bender where they basically said, 'stop using drugs and stop bothering us' (been admitted to psychiatric care multiple times). My GP became infuriated with how they just simply dismissed me and put me back on Invega. Within a week, my mood improved majorly, my tendencies left, I haven't been using illegal drugs, my life has completely turned around. I have zero sex drive, but I'm back at Uni studying my Bachelor of Science. My parents are super proud of me, my attitude has changed, I'm happier, I have accepted my shortcomings, and finally have a goal in life. I think zero sex drive is better than cutting stuff into my face."

• 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."

• inv...
• August 7, 2016

For Schizophrenia "This medication completely ruined my life. I gained 15 kg over six months on this injection, whereas before I was fit. I grew man boobs on this medication. I have no libido and complete sexual dysfunction. This medication gives you terrible anhedonia. I was forced to take Invega Sustenna after some stupid psychiatrist diagnosed me with 'psychosis.' I had no symptoms of psychosis."

• 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!"

• pil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

"Worst drug ever. I took it for three months. I've been off for a year and have yet to recover from it. I grew manboobs, and I'm now infertile (my semen/sperm is completely clear, and this hasn't recovered). On top of the horrible sexual dysfunction, the perhaps worst part about it is how it affected me emotionally and cognitively. I can't cry or laugh or feel joy. I'm so forgetful. I feel soulless. I don't enjoy reading or music or movies or anything. I can't feel in touch with nature. I was a dancer before, and now my movements are so rigid and stiff. I've been robbed of my life."

• 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."

• Try...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 20, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medication sucks. I only experienced side effects and no benefit. I would rather spend my time looking for another way to treat my illness than to give any of these antipsychotics another chance. All of them cause weight gain, sexual side effects, tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, among other side effects that could mess you up for life. I admit it's very debilitating at times, but I would rather have my original problems than to be given another set of problems to replace them. If your psychosis is really bad and you can't live a normal life at all, and you're homeless and you scare people or end up in jail because of your illness, then I say take it. But if you can wait till they figure out how to make better meds, then wait."

• Oni...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 20, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I have been trying for 7 years to get off the monthly Invega shot because the side effects make me feel like I’m in a nightmare. I’ve gained 80 pounds, trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, no sex drive so no point to having a girlfriend, I feel down all the time, have wet stools, heartburn constantly, frequent headaches, and I could go on. If you have a loved one on this drug, ask them to be honest about the constant suicidal thoughts."

• 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."

• Dam...
• August 6, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "When I first started taking Invega, it took away the voices and delusional thoughts better than the other injection I was receiving. Weaning off of it was not hard, but I was also taking large doses of niacin and lithium at the time. I had a manic episode that lasted 3 months after withdrawing. After that, one injection brought me back to reality in less than a day. I have extreme weight gain on Invega, drowsiness (sleep 12 hours a day), and decreased sex drive. Though it is important for me to point out, like I said, no mania or hallucinating. I function well on the injection. It is the side effects that I have trouble dealing with."

• pel...
• July 15, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I was on Risperdal for 3 years. I switched to Invega just over a month ago and am already losing a good deal of weight. I do sometimes get restless, but I accept this as the price for not sleeping 17 hours a day on Risperdal. My appetite is normal, and I don't eat huge portions anymore. My energy is up, and I can actually feel emotions fully again for the first time in a long, long time. Would recommend giving this a try to anyone - just remember some people get different side effects. For me, this also took away sexual side effects that were limiting my relationships."

• 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."