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INVEGA FAQ
1. How long will it take for INVEGA® (paliperidone) to start working?
Each patient responds in his or her own way to the medicine. Call your healthcare professional if you are concerned about your symptoms or have questions.
2. How is INVEGA different from RISPERDAL® (risperidone)?
INVEGA and RISPERDAL are chemically related, but contain different active ingredients. INVEGA uses a special technology called OROS® to control the release of medicine into the body over a 24-hour period.
Once you take the medication, your body processes INVEGA and RISPERDAL differently. INVEGA is taken once a day. RISPERDAL can be taken once a day or twice a day. It is important to take your medication as directed by your doctor.
3. Will INVEGA make me gain weight?
Each patient's experience with INVEGA is different. In 6-week clinical studies, patients taking INVEGA 3 mg and 6 mg gained an average of 1 pound. Patients taking INVEGA 9 mg and 12 mg gained an average of 2 pounds. Speak to your healthcare professional if weight gain is a concern.
In 6-week clinical trials, the percentage of people gaining at least 7% of their body weight for 3 mg and 6 mg of INVEGA was similar to the percentage of people taking a sugar pill (7% and 6%, respectively, versus 5%). The percentage was higher (9%) for those taking either 9 mg or 12 mg of INVEGA.
4. What are the most common side effects with INVEGA? What are some suggestions of things I can do to help with side effects?
INVEGA may cause side effects. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred with INVEGA were restlessness (not being able to sit still) and extrapyramidal disorder (for example, involuntary movements, tremors and muscle stiffness). If you think you are developing a side effect, always talk to your healthcare professional. Do not stop taking INVEGA without first talking to your healthcare professional.
In three 6-week studies, 3% of people taking INVEGA and 1% of people taking placebo (sugar pill) stopped taking INVEGA because of side effects.
5. Can I take INVEGA with my other medications?
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, or dietary supplements. Your healthcare professional will let you know if there are any concerns with taking INVEGA with your other medications.
6. Can INVEGA tablets be cut in half?
INVEGA should be swallowed whole. Tablets should not be chewed, divided, or crushed. Do not be worried if you see something that looks like a tablet in your stool. This is what is left of the tablet after all the medicine has been released.
7. What should I do if I miss a dose of INVEGA?
If you miss a dose of INVEGA, you should contact your healthcare professional. To help you remember to take INVEGA every morning, here are some tips you can use:
- Choose a daily event that will help you remember to take your INVEGA, such as before or after breakfast.
- Set an alarm to remind you when it is time to take your medicine
- Mark your calendar when you take your medicine
- Organize your medications in a pill container
- Ask a family member or friend to remind you
8. What does INVEGA look like?
INVEGA tablets are available in three different dose strengths.
| Dose strengths | Color of tablet | Imprint |
|---|---|---|
| 3 mg | White | "PALI 3" |
| 6 mg | Beige | "PALI 6" |
| 9 mg | Pink | "PALI 9" |
9. Can I take INVEGA if I am nursing, pregnant, or planning to get pregnant?
Inform your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant while taking INVEGA. Caution should be exercised when INVEGA is administered to a nursing woman.
10. What other safety information should be considered?
Please read the IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for INVEGA.
11. Will Invega make me feel sleepy or tired?
Each patient's experience with INVEGA is different. In 6-week clinical trials, 9% of patients on INVEGA and 7% on placebo (sugar pill) felt sleepy or tired. You may not feel sleepy or tired, but if you do, do not drive or operate machinery.
12. Is Invega approved for use in children and adolescents?
Invega is not approved for use in people that are less than 18 years old.
13. Is Invega approved for use in bipolar disorder?
Invega is not approved for use in people that have bipolar disorder.
INVEGA® (paliperidone) extended-release tablets are used for the treatment of schizophrenia.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR INVEGA
Elderly Patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. INVEGA (paliperidone) is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare and potentially fatal side effect reported with INVEGA and similar medicines. Call your doctor immediately if the person being treated develops symptoms such as high fever; stiff muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness. Treatment should be stopped if the person being treated has NMS.
One risk of INVEGA is that it may change your heart rhythm. This effect is potentially serious, and you should talk to your doctor about any current or past heart problems. Some medications interact with INVEGA. Please inform your healthcare professional of any medications or supplements that you are taking.
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a serious, sometimes permanent side effect reported with INVEGA and similar medications. TD includes uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, and other parts of the body. The risk of developing TD and the chance that it will become permanent is thought to increase with the length of therapy and the overall dose taken by the patient. This condition can develop after a brief period of therapy at low doses, although this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if therapy is stopped.
High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with INVEGA and similar medications. If the person being treated has diabetes or risk factors such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, blood sugar testing should be performed at the beginning and throughout treatment with INVEGA. Complications of diabetes can be serious and even life threatening. If signs of high blood sugar or diabetes develop, such as being thirsty all the time, going to the bathroom a lot, or feeling weak or hungry, contact your doctor.
INVEGA and similar medications can raise the blood levels of a hormone known as prolactin, causing a condition known as hyperprolactinemia. Blood levels of prolactin remain elevated with continued use. Some side effects seen with these medications include the absence of a menstrual period; breasts producing milk; the development of breasts by males; and the inability to achieve an erection. The connection between prolactin levels and side effects is unknown.
People with narrowing or blockage of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach or small or large intestine) should talk to their healthcare professional before taking INVEGA.
Some people taking INVEGA may feel faint or lightheaded when they stand up or sit up too quickly. By standing up or sitting up slowly and following your healthcare professional's dosing instructions, this side effect may be reduced or it may go away over time.
INVEGA may affect your driving ability; therefore, do not drive or operate machinery before talking to your healthcare professional. Avoid alcohol while on INVEGA.
INVEGA should be used cautiously in people with a seizure disorder, who have had seizures in the past, or who have conditions that increase their risk for seizures.
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) are usually persistent movement disorders or muscle disturbances, such as restlessness, tremors, and muscle stiffness. If you observe any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional.
Inform your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant while taking INVEGA. Caution should be exercised when INVEGA is administered to a nursing woman.
INVEGA may affect alertness and motor skills; use caution until the effect of INVEGA is known.
INVEGA may make you more sensitive to heat. You may have trouble cooling off, or be more likely to become dehydrated, so take care when exercising or when doing things that make you warm.
INVEGA should be swallowed whole. Tablets should not be chewed, divided, or crushed. Do not be worried if you see something that looks like a tablet in your stool. This is what is left of the tablet after all the medicine has been released.
The most common side effects that occurred with INVEGA were restlessness and extrapyramidal disorder (for example, involuntary movements, tremors and muscle stiffness).
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Please see the Important Product Information for INVEGA.
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This page was last modified on: May 15 2008 at 18:13:12 EDT