Type of medicine: antipsychotic
Generic and brand names: paliperidone, oral; Invega; paliperidone, injection; Invega Sustenna
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat symptoms of schizophrenia. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Taking this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems for the baby. Symptoms the baby may have include agitation, tight muscles, floppy muscles, shaking, trouble breathing, or trouble feeding. Talk with your provider about this.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage depending on your response. If you do not understand how or when to take this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.
You may take tablets with or without food. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole. You may see partially digested tablets in your stool. This is not harmful.
Injections of this medicine are given by your healthcare provider. You will receive 2 doses in the first 2 weeks, and then one dose per month after that. It is very important to keep all your appointments and get your injections on time. If you miss an injection, contact your healthcare provider right away to reschedule.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you are receiving the injections and miss a dose, you must have each injection less than 6 weeks after the previous injection. After 6 weeks, you will need to start treatment again. If you miss an injection, contact your healthcare provider right away to reschedule.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, fast or irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, uncontrolled movement in tongue, jaw, or neck.
Adults over the age of 65 may be more sensitive to the action of this medicine. Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your provider about this.
You may need to have tests regularly. Keep all appointments.
Newborn babies may have trouble breathing or feeding, or other symptoms, if the mother takes this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit is greater than the possible risk to your baby. Talk with your provider about this.
This medicine may affect your ability to be alert and think clearly. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
When you first start taking this medicine, you may get dizzy or lightheaded or feel faint when you get up quickly from sitting or lying down. Try getting up slowly. If this reaction continues, contact your healthcare provider.
Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may increase the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. You will need tests to check these levels regularly. Keep all appointments for tests.
This medicine may also cause you to gain weight. Talk with your provider about this.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or be confused. Contact your provider right away if you have these symptoms.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase the risk of developing diabetes, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care of call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures; thoughts of suicide; involuntary movements (facial or body twitching that you cannot control); lightheadedness when you stand or sit up; irregular or pounding heartbeat; fainting; increased sweating or confusion; sudden or severe headache; slurring of speech; vision problems; sudden weakness in one part or side of your body; high fever and muscle stiffness; painful erection that will not go away; chest pain; extreme weakness or tiredness; muscle or joint pain; increased urination; increased thirst; unexplained fever, cough, or sore throat; trouble swallowing; unusual bleeding or bruising; thoughts of suicide.
Other: Increased sensitivity to heat, insomnia, agitation, anxiety, tremors, headache, dizziness, constipation, nausea, runny nose, vomiting, stomach pain, sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, trouble urinating, nightmares, weight gain; changes in menstrual periods, breast swelling; injection site pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Tablets should be stored at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
