Managing Side Effects of Invega: A Comprehensive Guide
Invega, a brand-name prescription medication, belongs to the drug class of atypical antipsychotics. Approved by the FDA, Invega is used to treat schizoaffective disorder in adults and schizophrenia in adults and children aged 12 years and older [1]. The active ingredient in Invega is paliperidone.
Side Effects
Side effects of Invega can be grouped into common, mild, and serious categories.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Invega may include difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), headache, drowsiness or tiredness, weight gain or increased appetite, muscle stiffness, joint pain or swelling, restlessness or involuntary movements (such as repetitive or unusual facial movements), behavioral changes including unusual anxiety, agitation, depression, or lack of emotion, dry mouth and distorted taste sensation, flu-like symptoms (cough, stuffy nose), injection site pain (for injectable forms), and acne, dry skin, and nosebleeds [1].
Mild Side Effects (May Require Medical Attention)
Mild side effects that may require medical attention include unusual facial expressions or sustained upwards stare, abdominal symptoms (vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea), urinary issues (pain or difficulty when passing urine), breast swelling or unusual secretion of breast milk, menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction such as difficulty getting or maintaining an erection or painful continuous erections, toothache, weight loss, and skin changes like acne, dry skin, and nosebleeds [1].
Serious Side Effects (Require Immediate Medical Attention)
Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include unusual elated mood, signs of movement disorders such as sudden stiffness, muscle pain, or restlessness possibly indicating tardive dyskinesia or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, severe behavioral changes or mood swings, sustained painful erections (priapism), other movement abnormalities like shuffling walk, muscle weakness, tremor, or coordination problems, and symptoms of a stroke (headache, confusion, trouble speaking, seeing, or walking, and weakness on one side of your body) [1].
These side effects reflect both the oral and injectable formulations of paliperidone, such as Invega Sustenna and Invega Trinza [1][3][4][5].
Important Considerations
Invega may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions or factors, such as seizures, Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia, kidney problems, heart problems, blood pressure problems, problems with swallowing or digestion, allergic reaction to Invega or its ingredients, and alcohol use [1].
It's crucial to inform your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, before taking Invega [1]. Invega has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death in older adults who have psychosis related to dementia [1].
Invega may interact with other medications that are also known to cause long QT syndrome, so it's important not to take Invega with such medications [1].
Withdrawal side effects are unlikely to occur with Invega [1]. It's not known if Invega is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding [1].
If you're taking Invega, consider enrolling in a pregnancy registry if you become pregnant [1]. Invega may cause long-term side effects in rare cases, such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome [1].
Dosage and Administration
Invega is typically taken once daily. If Invega causes sleepiness for you, consider taking your dose at bedtime. Talk with your doctor about when it's best for you to take Invega [1].
[1]: FDA (2021). Invega (paliperidone) label. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/021605s030lbl.pdf [3]: Drugs.com (2021). Invega Sustenna. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/invega-sustenna.html [4]: Drugs.com (2021). Invega Trinza. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/invega-trinza.html [5]: MedlinePlus (2021). Paliperidone. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601158.html
Mental-health effects associated with Invega use may include unusual anxiety, agitation, depression, or lack of emotion [1]. The science behind Invega's health-and-wellness benefits extends beyond treating schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia, as it may also contribute to mental health management [1].
