Invega Hafyera (Paliperidone Palmitate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Invega Hafyera Used For?
Invega Hafyera is an antipsychotic medication that helps manage symptoms of schizophrenia in adults 18 years and older.
Primary Uses
Invega Hafyera treats schizophrenia, a mental illness with symptoms like hearing or seeing things that aren’t there, mistaken beliefs, unusual suspiciousness, becoming withdrawn, unclear speech, and reduced emotional responses. People with schizophrenia may also feel depressed, anxious, guilty, or tense.
Treatment Schedule
This medication is only used after you’ve been successfully treated with either the 1-month injection (INVEGA SUSTENNA) for at least 4 months or the 3-month injection (INVEGA TRINZA) for at least one cycle. Once your symptoms are well-controlled, Invega Hafyera helps prevent them from returning with injections given every 6 months.
Long-term convenience: Invega Hafyera provides 6 months of continuous treatment with just one injection, reducing the frequency of doctor visits.
How to Take Invega Hafyera
Invega Hafyera is given as an injection into the muscle of your buttock by your doctor or healthcare professional in a medical setting.
Dosage Instructions
Your first dose is determined by your doctor based on your previous dose of the 1-month or 3-month injection. The injection is given once every 6 months. Your doctor may adjust the dose at your scheduled injection based on how you’re responding to treatment.
What If You Miss an Appointment?
If you can’t keep your scheduled appointment, call your doctor right away to reschedule as soon as possible. Your doctor may want to see you even if you’re not due for an injection.
Important: Never miss an injection or stop treatment without consulting your doctor first. It’s crucial to maintain your scheduled appointments.
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:
- Headache
- Drowsiness and tiredness
- Pain at injection site
- Trembling and muscle weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or agitation
- Anxiety or depression
- Muscle or joint stiffness
- Weight gain or loss
- Common cold symptoms (cough, stuffy nose)
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and stomach problems
- Constipation or diarrhea
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic reactions (rash, breathing problems, swelling)
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes)
- High blood sugar or diabetes symptoms
- Liver problems (yellowing of skin)
- Difficulty or pain when urinating
- Continuous painful erection
- Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Stroke symptoms (weakness, numbness, slurred speech)
- Involuntary movements (tardive dyskinesia)
- Fever, muscle stiffness, sweating (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Invega Hafyera treatment.
Who Should Not Take Invega Hafyera
Do not use this medication if you’re allergic to paliperidone, risperidone (a similar antipsychotic), or any other ingredients in the medication. Allergic reactions can include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath, or swollen face.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: Parkinson’s disease or dementia; history of high temperature and muscle stiffness (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome); abnormal tongue or face movements (Tardive Dyskinesia); diabetes risk or high blood sugar; heart disease or low blood pressure problems; epilepsy; low white blood cell counts; kidney or liver problems; prolonged/painful erections; body temperature regulation problems; history of blood clots (personal or family history).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You should not take Invega Hafyera during pregnancy unless discussed with your doctor. If used during pregnancy, your newborn may experience shaking, muscle stiffness, weakness, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, or feeding difficulties. Do not breastfeed while being treated with this medication.
Elderly Patients With Dementia: Invega Hafyera has not been studied in elderly patients with dementia. Elderly dementia patients taking similar medications may have increased risk of stroke or death.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Invega Hafyera and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Tell your healthcare team: Include all prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements you buy without a prescription when discussing medications with your doctor.
- Medicines that increase paliperidone levels in blood
- Other medicines that cause sleepiness or drowsiness
- Blood pressure lowering medications
- Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome medicines (like levodopa)
- Central nervous system stimulants (like methylphenidate)
Alcohol & Driving
Invega Hafyera can affect your alertness and vision, requiring caution with certain activities.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Invega Hafyera as it can increase drowsiness and other side effects.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how Invega Hafyera affects you. The medication can make you sleepy, drowsy, or affect your vision.
Temperature Regulation
Tell your doctor if you have problems with body temperature regulation, as this medication can affect your body’s ability to control temperature.
Storage
Invega Hafyera is stored and given by healthcare professionals, so you’re unlikely to store it at home. If you do need to store it, keep it below 25°C in a horizontal position (follow arrows on carton), in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep away from children and don’t use after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
Since this medication is given under medical supervision, overdose is unlikely. However, overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, fast heart rate, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, or slow/abnormal movements. Overdose can also occur if taking other medications with Invega Hafyera. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Invega Hafyera is only used after your symptoms have been successfully controlled with shorter-acting injections (1-month for at least 4 months or 3-month for at least one cycle), so it continues the therapeutic effect rather than starting new treatment.
The medication information does not indicate that Invega Hafyera is addictive, but you should never stop treatment without consulting your doctor first as this could cause your symptoms to return.
You should never miss an injection or stop treatment without consulting your doctor first. Stopping suddenly could cause your schizophrenia symptoms to return.
No, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Invega Hafyera as it can increase drowsiness and other side effects.
Yes, weight changes (both gain and loss) have been seen in patients taking antipsychotic medicines like Invega Hafyera. Your doctor may monitor your weight during treatment.
Invega Hafyera has not been studied in elderly patients with dementia. Elderly patients with dementia taking similar medications may have increased risk of stroke or death.
If you can’t keep your appointment, call your doctor right away to reschedule as soon as possible. Your doctor may want to see you even if you’re not due for an injection.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.