Invega Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, often manifesting in disabling symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Patients may also experience difficulty in understanding information and making decisions. Symptoms usually start in late teens to young adulthood.

Schizoaffective Disorder

Patients with schizoaffective disorder experience a combination of schizophrenia and mood disorder symptoms. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, depression or mania. There are two types of schizoaffective disorder – bipolar type, in which manic and depressive episodes alternate, and depressive type which only consists of episodes of depression.

Invega Active Ingredient

Generic Invega  Alternative: Paliperidone-er

The main ingredient in Invega is paliperidone which belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. These newer medications are less likely to produce some of the negative side effects associated with the first generation of antipsychotics, also known as typical antipsychotics.

Paliperidone helps to decrease hallucinations, enables patients to think more clearly and take a more active part in daily life.

Patients have a choice of buying brand name Invega or generic alternatives. A number of safe, affordable generic alternatives to Invega are available through our international online pharmacy.

General Drug Information

What is Invega and What Is It Used For?

Invega is prescribed to patients suffering from mental disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The active ingredient, paliperidone, belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. These medications are thought to produce fewer negative side effects in patients – such as drug-induced movement disorder – compared to earlier antipsychotics. When taken regularly, paliperidone can help patients think more clearly and decrease hallucinations.

Usage and Application

Invega should be taken exactly as prescribed by a patient’s doctor, and the dosage depends on the patient’s condition, age and response to treatment. Before the start of treatment, patients should discuss all other prescription medications, herbs and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose. Tablets should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed as doing so may cause the drug to release all at once, increasing the risk of negative side effects.

It is necessary to use Invega regularly in order to experience its full benefit. To prevent forgetting, patients are advised to take this medication at the same time each day. Patients should continue taking Invega even if they feel well. Stopping this medication can happen only under the guidance of the treating physician.

Considerations Before Taking Invega

Before starting treatment patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to paliperidone or to risperidone. It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially kidney or liver disease, low white blood cell count, Parkinson's disease, dementia or seizures. Patients should also report sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing, peritonitis, cystic fibrosis and Meckel's diverticulum, a genetic intestine condition.

Eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts should also be reported, as well as a family history of diabetes or problems with high cholesterol and heart disease.

Taking paliperidone may cause a heart condition known as QT prolongation. It manifests in severe dizziness, fainting and irregular heartbeat, which can be fatal in some rare cases. The risk of developing QT prolongation increases in patients taking other medications that carry risk, or who have certain medical conditions. Patients should alert their doctor about problems like heart failure, slow heartbeat or instances of QT prolongation being observed in an electrocardiogram. A family history of QT prolongation or sudden cardiac death should also be reported.

The risk of QT prolongation is also increased in people who have low levels of potassium or magnesium in their blood. This could be caused by the usage of certain drugs such as diuretics. Patients who experience severe sweating, diarrhea or vomiting are also at risk.

Paliperidone may cause blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness. Patients should use caution when driving, using machinery, and performing activities requiring clear vision or alertness until the effects of the medication are known. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided.

Patients preparing for surgery (including eye surgery) or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products they are taking.

Some patients taking this medication may find that they produce less sweat. This increases the likelihood of heat stroke. On hot days, patients should drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising or performing any other activities that may cause them to overheat. Using hot tubs should also be avoided. In the event of overheating, patients should take immediate steps to cool down and rest. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of serious overheating – mood changes, headache or dizziness – persist.

Older adults are likely to be more sensitive to some of the negative side effects of this medication, especially QT prolongation, drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. There is an increased risk of falling.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant – or planning to become pregnant – should discuss the safe use of Invega or its generic alternatives with their doctors. Untreated problems such as schizophrenia can be a serious condition, and patients should not stop the medication unless directed by their doctor.

In rare cases, babies born to mothers using this medication in the last trimester may develop symptoms such as muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, constant crying, and feeding or breathing difficulties. Parents should contact a physician right away if they notice such symptoms in their newborn.

Paliperidone passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Mothers should consult their doctor before starting breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Invega should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Invega

Drug interactions may change the way Invega works and increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications like the heartburn drug Reglan may negatively interact with Invega. Patients should be especially cautious if they are taking other drugs that affect heart rhythm, increasing the risk of QT prolongation. This includes heart medications like amiodarone, procainamide, sotalol and quinidine, the antipsychotics chlorpromazine and thioridazine, as well as the antibiotic moxifloxacin.

Patients should inform their doctor if they use other products which cause drowsiness, like alcohol or marijuana. Opioid pain and cough relievers like codeine and hydrocodone have the same effect, as do drugs for sleep and anxiety-like alprazolam, lorazepam, and zolpidem.

Muscle relaxants like carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine – aa well as antihistamines like cetirizine and diphenhydramine – may cause drowsiness. Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that may cause drowsiness, and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

Adverse Reactions

Some patients may experience drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. This increases the risk of falling, so patients should get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Patients should seek medical help should they experience severe dizziness, or any seizures and fainting.

Additional possible side effects include tiredness, drooling, stomach pain, and weight gain. Some patients may witness empty tablet shells in their stool. This is no cause for concern.

Most patients are able to use Invega safely without serious side effects. Some patients, however, experience serious problems such as difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, tremors and mood changes like restlessness. Patients should notify their doctor in the event of such symptoms. Sleep apnea and signs of infection – fever and persistent sore throat – should also be reported immediately.

In rare cases, paliperidone may increase blood sugar levels, a concern for diabetic patients. Diabetic patients should check blood sugar regularly and may need to adjust their medication, exercise program, and diet. Others should monitor for symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst and urination.

Some patients may experience significant weight gain and a rise in blood cholesterol and/or triglycerides. Coupled with pre-existing diabetes, this may increase heart disease risk.

In some patients, there is a rare risk of developing tardive dyskinesia, which causes involuntary, repetitive body movements. In some cases, the condition may be permanent. Patients should monitor for any unusual movements, especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms or legs.

Paliperidone may increase levels of the hormone prolactin produced by the body. In women, this could lead to unwanted production of breast milk, irregular periods or difficulty conceiving. Men may experience decreased sexual ability, enlarged breasts and an inability to produce sperm.

In rare cases, paliperidone may cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a very serious and possibly life-threatening condition. Patients should seek immediate medical help if they experience sweating, fever, muscle stiffness, severe tiredness, and severe confusion. Additional NMS symptoms include irregular heartbeat, dark urine and changes in the amount of urine.

Some male patients may rarely experience painful and prolonged erections lasting for over four hours. If this should happen, they should stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention to prevent permanent problems.

Serious allergic reactions to Invega are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms including rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

How to Store Invega

Invega should be stored at room temperature, away from light or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.