Paliperidone ER - Invega

What is Invega?

Invega is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.
Invega is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers who are at least 12 years old.

Invega (paliperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic - one of the primary medications used for conditions like schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia.

How it works: It's the active metabolite of Risperdal (risperidone), similar to how Pristiq relates to Effexor. It blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, which helps reduce psychotic symptoms.

Primary uses:

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder (both types)
• Sometimes bipolar disorder

Forms available:

• Oral tablets (taken daily)
• Invega Sustenna (monthly injection)
• Invega Trinza (every 3 months injection)
• Invega Hafyera (every 6 months injection)

The long-acting injections are often preferred for people who struggle with daily medication adherence or want to avoid remembering pills.

What it targets:

• Hallucinations and delusions (positive symptoms)
• Can help with disorganized thinking
• Some effect on mood stabilization
• May help with negative symptoms, though less dramatically

Common side effects:

• Weight gain (though sometimes less than other antipsychotics)
• Drowsiness or sedation (especially initially)
• Restlessness or movement issues (akathisia, tremor)
• Elevated prolactin (can affect menstrual cycles, sexual function, bone density)
• Metabolic changes (blood sugar, cholesterol)

For schizoaffective bipolar type specifically:

Invega addresses the psychotic component and provides some mood stabilization. Often it's combined with a dedicated mood stabilizer like lithium or valproate for better control of manic episodes, and sometimes an antidepressant like Pristiq for depressive symptoms.

Practical considerations:

• Usually started at lower doses and increased gradually
• Effects on psychosis might be noticeable within days to weeks, but full benefit takes 4-6 weeks
• Regular monitoring (blood work, weight, movement side effects) is standard
• Extended-release formulation means the pill shell might appear in stool (this is normal)