Has Anyone Tried Invega (Paliperidone) AKA Long-Acting Risperdal?

I just reeceived invega today Jan.14. I am very afraid to put it in my mouth. I have taken most every medication on the market. I didnot take medication very easy because I am very sensitive to it.Help

My brother started taking invega about 2 days ago. They started him on 3mg, and have already changed it to 9 mg. He said he is having less delusions and is feeling a little better, although I am not sure if it is making him tired or the other drugs such as Klonopin, Topamax, Lamictil that he is taking for bipolar. He has taked Seroquel and Geodon in the past and they worked for a while, but now he is something different. He is dx as bipolar, but not so sure he isnt schizoprenic. Its very frustrating for him and the family, he just wants to feel better and be able to function. Does anyone know how long invega has to be taken to get the full effect of the drug?.........

I am taking 3 mg of invega. Its seems not as potent as risperdal. The sleep at night isn't as good. I'm less sleepy in the morning though. Risperdal can make you tired. I was on 3mg Risperdal. I haven't had any positive symptoms. I feel a little more depressed. I'm giving it more time to see if my body adjusts to the new medicine. Since I switched I came down with a cold. If i were to start fresh on something I would try Invega. I have less body aches. I have more sexual desires. I read that you here songs in your head and i did at first but that kind of went away.

Invega does have some joint pain but its better than risperdal in that manner.

susy-illinois wrote:

My brother started taking invega about 2 days ago. They started him on 3mg, and have already changed it to 9 mg. He said he is having less delusions and is feeling a little better, although I am not sure if it is making him tired or the other drugs such as Klonopin, Topamax, Lamictil that he is taking for bipolar. He has taked Seroquel and Geodon in the past and they worked for a while, but now he is something different. He is dx as bipolar, but not so sure he isnt schizoprenic. Its very frustrating for him and the family, he just wants to feel better and be able to function. Does anyone know how long invega has to be taken to get the full effect of the drug?.........

most meds need to be in your system about a week to start showing effect

some adverse reactions to Invega reported to the FDA between April and June, 2007:

GALACTORRHOEA- 25 reports
EXTRAPYRAMIDAL DISORDER- 24 reports
DYSTONIA- 16 reports
TREMOR- 13 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL- 11 reports
AKATHISIA- 11 reports
RASH- 10 reports

source: www.adverse-drug-reaction.net

i've been on jjst for 3 days, but this morning around 3am i woke with a bad headache, it lasted all day, is this something i will have to put up with

texbek wrote:

I started Invega about 5 days ago for bipolar disorder. I am on 3mg and it has worked wonders so far! Did anyone else experience muscle or joint pain?

Yes I've had muscle soreness and joint pain, esp in lower legs and knees. Also libido is history and I feel "blah" - relatively emotionless all the time. Anyone else with same symptoms?

My son has a diagnosis of bipolar disease. He has been ill for about 4 years. I recently had him tested for Lyme disease (which causes bipolar symptoms). He tested positiveDdid his sister. I am under treatment for Lyme and have been ill many years. My son was given invega recently and is also on lithium and abilify. He takes noretriptyline as well. He is feeling worse now and is unable to socialize with anyone. His depression is worse as well. I am worried that his condition is not being recognized as Lyme. Does anyone have any comments?

Hi I have been on Invega for about 2 weeks now. So far so good until today. Has anyone had an issue with ingestion of the pill? I noticed today the pill in my stool and it was not the shell but the whole pill as I unfortunately had to go there to make sure. Anyway, I don't know how often this has happened but today has been a bad day for me and now that I saw this I wonder if I haven't been ingesting/digesting the pill at all lately. I just now smashed one up and swallowed that. Just curious to know if anyone has had this experience and what you did - doctor prescribe different drug, type, etc and if you know the possible causes of this happening? Thanks!

P.S. Has anyone switched from Invega to Seroquel or Risperdal and had a positive outcome (i.e., less side effects like drowsiness and muscle pains and cramps, less mood swings, better rest, etc)?? Just wondering if I might need to switch to another drug and if others here are glad they got off Invega. Thanks again!

Christie wrote:

My son has a diagnosis of bipolar disease. He has been ill for about 4 years. I recently had him tested for Lyme disease (which causes bipolar symptoms). He tested positiveDdid his sister. I am under treatment for Lyme and have been ill many years. My son was given invega recently and is also on lithium and abilify. He takes noretriptyline as well. He is feeling worse now and is unable to socialize with anyone. His depression is worse as well. I am worried that his condition is not being recognized as Lyme. Does anyone have any comments?

Get a second and if need be third opinions. Also make sure his psychiatric meds are monitored by a psychiatrist. People react differently to drugs. I was unable to tolerate abilify - horrid side effects. One other thing concerning differing medical opinions. If you don't feel confidant with any of your local doctors - go to a teaching hospital. You may have to travel but IMHO you get the best treatment there and most have outpatient facilities. Good Luck :-D

leave that bitch befor she kills u

I started Invega 3 weeks ago after having taken SSRI's and older anti-depressants for over 20 years. This is the best I have felt. I could tell the difference the next day. I'm only on 3 mg's a day and I take it at night with .5 mg's of Klonopin. It' certainly worth trying.

If anyone could help me our son took some lsd and mushrooms and the doctors say it triggered phycosis and scitsophrania (spelled wrong) and they first had him on respridol 6mg but it gave him massive head aches then they put him on seroquel that just made him tired now he is on invega in the day and depakote at night how long does it take for the stuff to take affect. I am afraid to leave him alone. We have never had this happen in our family and I am confussed and lost.

I was on invega 6mg from OCT 07 to April 24th 08. It was ok until March 08. I became violently ill and almost died according to my family physician. I have been suffering for about 2 and 1/2 months as I have been vomiting and dry heaving every day since I was ordered off drug. I pray to God that I can recover from this drug!!!

I have been on Invega for about two months now. First 3 mgs. now 6 mgs. I noticed a significant increase in dream activity, short term memory affects, a persistent muscle spasm in the lower back and buttock region, a persistent pain in my left heel (isolated and sensitive to pressure in the area), a sense of stomach fullness after meals regardless to what and how much I have eaten, a hollowness in the brain (I can't explain it much better than that), and at night stiffness in the fingers (only the fingers). Constipation not as bad as with risperdal. Compared to risperdal, it's better! But, they do need to work on the short term memory affects. Then it will be all that it is said to be. I hope that the manufacturer is viewing these to improve on the product.

I was prescribed Invega at night to help with sleep and stress headaches.

I was uped to 6mg today and I will have to let you know where that takes me....

Paige wrote:

I have been on Invega for about two months now. First 3 mgs. now 6 mgs. I noticed a significant increase in dream activity, short term memory affects, a persistent muscle spasm in the lower back and buttock region, a persistent pain in my left heel (isolated and sensitive to pressure in the area), a sense of stomach fullness after meals regardless to what and how much I have eaten, a hollowness in the brain (I can't explain it much better than that), and at night stiffness in the fingers (only the fingers). Constipation not as bad as with risperdal. Compared to risperdal, it's better! But, they do need to work on the short term memory affects. Then it will be all that it is said to be. I hope that the manufacturer is viewing these to improve on the product.

wow I rhink Is rather be tired and crazy LOL

I have been on invega for a week. I have also been weaning myself off of lamictal at the same time. The lamictal did not work for me at all, so my psychiatrist in prison, said that we would try this. I was released at a time I was not expecting, and I have a one months supply of the invega. At this time, i have not noticed any differences. I am still cycling terribly. How long did it take you to notice a difference. I am also on the 3mg dose at night. Please reply someone, I need to know what I can do. I am going to have to try and be treated through, state services, and I have to know if I am going to try and stay on this a little longer to see if it will work for me. I desperately need something to work.