Paliperidone and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have been diagnosed with bipolar with psychosis in June 2020. I got 2 loading doses of Invega then two other doses in two months, a total of 4 doses. Now I am 10 months since the last dose still suffering from weight gain (20 Kg), erectile dysfunction with numb penis and shrinkage, less semen volume. This drug is awful. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION AT ALL. Unfortunately, I did not have the choice to accept or refuse the drug because I was admitted to the hospital at that time. They took the consent from my parents who did not know what this drug is. This is a post for humanity, please do not use this drug, it ruined my life totally."

• Phy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "If you are looking for the worst time of your life, this is the medication for you! Do you want to gain 100 lbs? Lose all your friends and be turned into a vegetable? If so, Invega will do the job. Don’t take this, it's terrible. You will gain weight, everything nice will be gone from your life, you will feel sick and foggy all the time, and your life will basically be over. It reduces you to a fraction of the person you should be, and it's messy and unpleasant. No one should take this."

• 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."

• Sol...
• April 14, 2021

For Schizophrenia "This is the worst medication ever. I was 120 lbs when I started on this, and I gained 80 lbs. My boobs went up from an A cup size to a D. It has been so hard to lose the weight. I don't take the meds anymore, and I'm still trying to lose the weight, it caused me other health problems on top of this. I would not wish this medication on anyone. I did not feel better on it at all. In fact, I felt dizzy, was sleepy, and all I wanted to do was eat. I repeated myself constantly while on this med. I blame the manufacturers for all the damages."

• 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."

• 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."

• Uni...
• April 13, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been on Invega for 3 years. The beginning was bad. I had so much energy I couldn't sit still or get comfortable. I gained weight but it got better. I started to see the benefits, for example, less tension and edginess, better decision-making, sleep improvements, and feeling less scared and paranoid. Then I got diagnosed with high levels of prolactin. It has been over a year, and they still can't get it under control, which means I'm always itchy and overweight. Now I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes because of the meds. I was told to eat right and exercise every day for the rest of my life. And then he laughed!! It has been about a month since the pre-diabetes diagnosis, and I have only lost 1 kg. That's with healthy eating and exercise. My doctor thinks the benefits still outweigh the risks, so they are constantly pushing the drug on me, but I'm itchy, pre-diabetic, and overweight."

• Ram...
• November 17, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I am living a productive, symptom-free life because of Invega shot 4 years, 6 mg pill for 1. Now a college grad, off disability, full-time job (40k) at an investment bank all made possible by Invega. I was severely sick and now I haven't been for 5 years. It took a couple of hospitalizations, several lost jobs, and even jail (which was a turning point) to find Invega. I did 3 full-time years in college and got a 3.9 in finance. The only side effects I've had are slightly high cholesterol and weight gain, which for me is somewhat manageable with diet although for what I eat I'd be 20 pounds less. I am now crystal clear and have zero symptoms. Life changer."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug has ruined my life. It caused me to lactate. Even 4 months later off the medicine, I am still lactating and my prolactin got even higher! I had an MRI and it didn't show a pituitary tumor, which this drug can cause. I am now being referred to a neurosurgeon because nobody knows what to do and nobody knows how my prolactin can still be so high. A few years ago, my pituitary gland was symmetrical, but ever since being on Invega, my pituitary gland is asymmetrical. One side is bigger than the other. This drug caused my pituitary to change its shape. On top of that, I lost my periods completely, so now I'm infertile. It also made me eat like a horse and gain weight. My life is ruined. Beware of this drug."

• 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?"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• PRO...
• March 11, 2016

For Schizophrenia "These drugs are dangerous. They ruined my life and made my illness much worse. The doctors do not believe me as they think I'm an inferior life form. Symptoms include tooth decay, lack of motivation, extreme weight gain, heart pains, and reduced level of consciousness. They also made me extremely delusional to the point I didn't even believe anymore."

• 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."

• Lew...
• December 22, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I now have a deadly and nontreatable heart condition called a Left Anterior Fascicular Block (LAFB) due to overprescribed high doses of Invega and not being diagnosed 3 years in a row with hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and extremely high triglycerides) and hyperprolactinemia (abnormal hormones causing loss of erection and sperm production) and 'reduced function' stage 2 kidney damage, as well as 65 lbs weight gain, none of which was diagnosed or referred to a PCP for treatment. Now I am without a treatment plan, and my fate is sealed. Bad drug period."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I think this is a terrible drug. DO NOT TAKE. Causes schizophrenia, does not treat it. I repeat, do not take. Will decrease your thinking to almost not there completely. Will remove your emotions almost completely. Side effects on top of side effects. Weight gain, blurry vision, restless leg syndrome, brain pain, and more. Do not take even if the doctor convinces you it is a good idea. It is not a good idea at all."

• Ela...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Well, now I now know why they call psychiatrists 'shrinks.' I have been on this drug for years. I have tried taking vitamins and eating healthy to stay well and still gained 50 pounds. I have far too many headaches and sleep all day. I think they finally did it - they shrunk my brain!"

• 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."