What Is Invega Used For?

Invega contains the active ingredient paliperidone and belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotic agents that improve symptoms of certain types of mental illness.

Primary Uses

Invega is used to treat adults with symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental illness with disturbances in thinking, feelings and behavior. It is also used to treat other types of related psychoses.

How It Works

Invega helps to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain associated with these conditions.

How to Take Invega

Your doctor will decide the dose of Invega that is suitable for you, based on your condition and kidney function. Invega should be taken once daily, in the morning, at about the same time each day.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dosage for Invega is between 3 mg and 12 mg once daily. For people with severe kidney problems the starting dose may be as low as 3 mg every other day. The tablet should be swallowed whole with water or other liquid. Invega tablets must not be chewed, split or crushed. You should decide whether you will always take Invega on an empty stomach before breakfast, or always with food at breakfast. You must not switch between taking Invega on an empty stomach and taking it with food.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose at the usual time, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then resume taking Invega as you normally would the following morning. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you forget to take it for a number of days or more, tell your doctor before starting your medicine again.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• difficulty falling or staying asleep
• headache
• nausea
• trembling, muscle weakness, unsteadiness or lack of coordination
• drowsiness, tiredness, lack of energy or difficulty concentrating
• irritability or agitation
• unusual anxiety or depression
• muscle tightness or stiffness
• unusual restlessness or involuntary movements
• increased appetite or weight gain
• diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation
• common cold or flu-like symptoms
• dry mouth, distorted taste, salivation or drooling
• acne, dry skin, skin discoloration
• unusual thirst, tiredness, upset stomach or frequent urination
• breast milk secretion, breast swelling, irregular menstrual periods
• decreased sexual drive
• difficulty getting or maintaining an erection

Important Warnings

There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Invega.

Who Should Not Take Invega

Do not use Invega if you are allergic to paliperidone, medicines containing risperidone (e.g. RISPERDAL), or any of the ingredients listed in the medication guide.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Check with your doctor if you have: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome history, Tardive dyskinesia history, irregular heart rhythm, high or low blood pressure or past heart attack or stroke, dizziness when standing up, excessive sweating or diarrhea, dehydration or temperature regulation problems, epilepsy or seizures, involuntary movements or restlessness, Parkinson’s Disease, suicidal thoughts or past suicide attempts, lung inflammation due to aspiration, swallowing problems or stomach/intestinal disorders, kidney or liver problems, confusion or unsteadiness, dementia or Lewy body dementia, diabetes, stroke or brain blood vessel problems, continuous painful erection (priapism), low white blood cell count, blood clots history, or planned eye surgery.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Newborn babies of mothers taking Invega in their last trimester may be at risk of having difficulty feeding or breathing, shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, sleepiness or agitation. As Invega is excreted in breast milk, it is recommended that you do not breast-feed while you use Invega.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Invega and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines.

• sleeping tablets, tranquillisers, painkillers, or some allergy medications called antihistamines
• medicines to treat epilepsy
• medicines to treat depression, panic disorder, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder
• medicines that increase the activity of the central nervous system (psychostimulants such as methylphenidate)
• any medicines to treat irregular heart rhythms or heart failure
• any medicines to treat high blood pressure, including water tablets (diuretics)
• other medicines to treat mental illnesses or psychotic conditions
• medicines to relieve nausea or vomiting, indigestion, reflux or other stomach problems
• some medicines to treat malaria

Alcohol & Driving

Invega may affect your ability to drive and can interact with alcohol.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while using Invega. Alcohol can increase the effects of Invega.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you are sure that Invega does not affect your alertness. Invega may cause dizziness, drowsiness or light-headedness in some people, especially after the first dose. Make sure you know how you react to Invega before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.

Temperature Regulation

Tell your doctor if you have unusual, excessive sweating or diarrhea, dehydration or problems with your body temperature regulation.

Storage

Keep the tablets in a dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Overdose Information

If you think that you have used too much Invega, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Signs of overdose may include drowsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, excessive trembling, nausea, excessive muscle stiffness, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, very low blood pressure causing fainting or unconsciousness.

Frequently Asked Questions