Invega (paliperidone) Overview
Inquisition into Invega's Dosage: Formulation, Potencies, Administration Methods, and Related Information
Invega is a well-known brand name medication that has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage certain mental health issues. Specifically, Invega is employed to deal with:
- schizophrenia in adults and children older than 12 years
- schizoaffective disorder in grown-ups
Invega is available in oral tablet form, falling under the category of atypical antipsychotics. The active ingredient in Invega is paliperidone, which is also available as a generic medication.
In addition to the oral form, Invega is also accessible in injectable forms, such as Invega Hafyera, Invega Sustenna, and Invega Trinza. However, this article focuses on the oral tablet form of Invega. If you have queries regarding other forms of Invega, it's recommended to consult your doctor.
Invega Dosage Summary
The following table provides a summary of Invega's dosage. Your doctor will determine the most suitable dosage for you.
| | | | || --- | --- | --- | --- || Condition | Initial daily dose | Dosage range | Maximum dosage || schizophrenia in adults | 6 mg | 3 mg to 12 mg | 12 mg || schizoaffective disorder in adults | 6 mg | 3 mg to 12 mg | 12 mg || schizophrenia in children* (weighing less than 52 kg†) | 3 mg | 3 mg to 6 mg | 6 mg || schizophrenia in children (weighing 52 kg† or more) | 3 mg | 3 mg to 12 mg | 12 mg |
For further insights about the optimal dosing for you, consult your doctor. They can recommend a dosing schedule tailored to your condition.
Condition
For details about Invega's dosage, including its strengths and administration guidelines, keep reading. For a comprehensive understanding of Invega, refer to this article.
Invega Dosage
Initial daily dose
Your doctor will recommend the optimal dosage of Invega for you. Always adhere to the dosage recommended by your doctor.
Invega Form
Dosage range
Invega is available as an oral tablet.
Invega Strength
Maximum dosage
Invega is available in four strengths:
- 1.5 milligrams (mg)
- 3 mg
- 6 mg
- 9 mg
Common Dosages
Typically, your doctor will initiate you at the recommended dosage of Invega based on your age and condition. They may subsequently adjust it to achieve the optimal dosage for you. Your doctor will eventually prescribe the lowest effective dosage.
schizophrenia in adults
The following information provides commonly used or recommended dosages. However, remember to take the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Dosage for schizophrenia
6 mg
Your doctor is likely to recommend an initial dosage of 6 mg daily to treat schizophrenia.
No loading dose is recommended for Invega. Loading doses are higher doses of medication that doctors may prescribe at the beginning of treatment. However, the recommended starting dose of Invega is 6 mg daily. Your doctor may adjust this dose based on the drug's effectiveness for you.
3 mg to 12 mg
If the 6 mg dose of Invega is not effective enough for your symptoms, your doctor may increase your dose to 12 mg daily. If your doctor increases your dose, they may do so gradually over time. This is to allow your body to adjust to an increase in Invega. The maximum dose of Invega for schizophrenia is 12 mg daily. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of 3 mg daily.
Before you start taking Invega, consult your doctor about the best dosing schedule for you.
12 mg
Dosage for schizoaffective disorder
The recommended initial dose of Invega to treat schizoaffective disorder is 6 mg daily. Your doctor may adjust this dose based on the drug's effectiveness for you.
No loading dose is recommended for Invega.
If the 6 mg dose of Invega is not effective enough for your symptoms, your doctor may increase your dose to 12 mg daily. If your doctor increases your dose, they may do so gradually over time. The maximum dose of Invega for schizophrenia is 12 mg daily. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of 3 mg daily.
schizoaffective disorder in adults
For schizoaffective disorder, your doctor may recommend taking Invega alone or in combination with other medications, such as mood stabilizers or antidepressants, to manage your condition.
Before you start taking Invega, consult your doctor about the best dosing schedule for you.
6 mg
Children's Dosage
Invega is approved for managing schizophrenia in children aged 12 years and above. The recommended starting dosage is 3 mg daily. In children weighing less than 51 kg†, the dosage may be increased to a maximum of 6 mg daily.
3 mg to 12 mg
Initial dosage of Invega for children over 52 kg (approximately 112 lbs) is usually 3 mg each day. Subsequent dosage adjustments in children are similar to those made in adults with schizophrenia. For detailed information on recommended Invega dosages, refer to the "Dosage for schizophrenia" section provided earlier.
Invega is not authorized for schizoaffective disorder treatment in children.
12 mg
Long-term administration
Invega is intended for prolonged usage. If you and your physician conclude that Invega is both safe and effective for you, long-term usage is likely.
Factors influencing dosage
Your Invega dosage will depend on several factors, including:
schizophrenia in children* weighing less than 52 kg† (about 112 lb)
- severity of the condition you're treating with Invega
- age or weight (in children)
- other medications you're currently taking
Preexisting medical conditions can also impact your Invega dosage.
3 mg
Dosage modifications
If certain conditions arise, your physician may prescribe dosage adjustments for Invega. These scenarios may include:
3 mg to 6 mg
- combining Invega with other medications
- kidney issues
- Invega's lack of efficacy in your case
Speak to your doctor about the best Invega dosage for you.
6 mg
Invega administration instructions
Take your daily Invega dose once. Invega is available as an oral tablet. You can take Invega with or without food.
Ensure you swallow your Invega tablet whole. Avoid chewing, breaking, or crushing Invega as it releases into your body gradually. Breaking, crushing, or chewing the tablet could result in an excessive drug dose at once.
You can take your Invega dose at any time of day. Establishing a regular dosing schedule may help maintain a steady drug level in your body, enhancing Invega's efficacy.
schizophrenia in children weighing 52 kg (about 112 lb) or more
For assistance in swallowing tablets, refer to this article. Alternatively, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
*Accessible drug labels and containers*If you have difficulty reading your prescription label, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a smartphone-scannable code to convert text to speech. Your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that provides such options if your local pharmacy does not.
3 mg
If you struggle opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist for an easy-open container. They may also suggest tools to aid bottle opening.
Missed dose
3 mg to 12 mg
If you forget to take your Invega dose, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Their guidance will depend on the elapsed time since you missed your dose. In some situations, they might suggest taking a dose as soon as you remember, while in others they may advise skipping the missed dose and continuing as scheduled.
To minimize the risk of missing doses, consider using a medication reminder. This could involve setting an alarm or employing a timer. Alternatively, explore medication reminder apps for your phone.
12 mg
Invega and overdose
Taking more Invega than prescribed by your doctor may lead to serious side effects.
It's crucial to follow your doctor's Invega dosage recommendations diligently.
Overdose symptoms
Overdose symptoms of Invega include:
- drowsiness
- increased heart rate
- low blood pressure
- difficulty walking
- abnormal heart rhythm
- involuntary muscle movements
If you consume more than the recommended Invega amount
Contact your doctor immediately if you believe you've taken an excess Invega dose. Alternatively, contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or refer to its online tool. If you experience severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number, or visit the nearest emergency room.
Invega and withdrawal & dependence
Invega does not typically cause withdrawal or dependence in its users. Withdrawal symptoms transpire when your body becomes accustomed to a medication and then you discontinue its use.
Invega is not associated with drug dependence. Dependence arises when your body depends on a drug to feel normal.
Cessation of Invega use may result in a resurgence or worsening of your schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder symptoms. Before discontinuing treatment with Invega, discuss this risk with your doctor.
Conclusion and helpful resources
The dosages in this article demonstrate typical dosages as suggested by the drug's manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Invega for you, they will prescribe the dosage that's right for you. Always adhere to the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Always avoid modifying your Invega dosage without consulting your doctor. If you have questions about the correct Invega dosage for you, consult your doctor.
Additional Invega-related resources that may be helpful include:
- Getting More info on Invega. For additional insights on Invega, check out this post.
- Side Effects Info. To find out about the side effects connected to Invega, examine this article. You might also want to review the Invega medical guideline.
- Schizophrenia Facts. For further details on mental health issues, such as schizophrenia, visit our mental health section.
Disclaimer:Medical News Today has made every attempt to ensure all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, use this article as a supplement, not a replacement, for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Always consult your doctor or another medical expert before starting any medication. The drug info provided here is subject to change and is not meant to cover all possible applications, directions, cautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or side effects. The absence of warnings for a specific drug does not imply that the drug or drug combination is safe for all patients or all specific uses.
- It's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before switching to or combining Invega with other mental health medications, such as mood stabilizers or antidepressants, as this may require adjustments to the dosage to ensure safe and effective treatment for schizoaffective disorder.
- If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with schizophrenia who is prescribed Invega, be aware that the dosage may depend on their weight, and it's essential to monitor your child closely and discuss any concerns about their dosage or response to the medication with their doctor.
- Patients taking Invega should inform their pharmacist about any other medications they are currently taking, as certain drug interactions may necessitate dosage adjustments or alternative medications to avoid adverse effects or decreased efficacy.
