If you have certain mental health conditions, your doctor might suggest Invega as a treatment option for you.
Invega is a prescription medication that’s used to treat:
- schizophrenia in adults and some children
- schizoaffective disorder in adults
The active ingredient in Invega is paliperidone. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
Invega comes as tablets that you swallow. They’re extended-release (ER) tablets, which means that the drug is slowly released into your body. Invega belongs to a group of drugs called antipsychotics.
There are forms of Invega other than tablets, and they carry the brand names Invega Sustenna, Invega Trinza, and Invega Hafyera. This article focuses on Invega tablets.
The sections below describe the dosages of Invega, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Invega, see this in-depth article.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Invega’s dosage for treating either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in adults.* Be sure to read on for more detail. And please keep in mind that this article covers Invega’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.
| Invega form | Invega strengths | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
| ER tablets | • 1.5 milligrams (mg) • 3 mg • 6 mg • 9 mg | 6 mg once per day | 3 mg to 12 mg once per day | 12 mg once per day |
* To learn children’s dosages for schizophrenia, see the “What’s the dosage of Invega for children?” section below.
Below is information about Invega’s recommended dosages and dosing schedule for the conditions it treats.
What is Invega’s form?
Invega comes as ER tablets that you swallow.
What strengths does Invega come in?
Invega is available in four strengths: 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 6 mg, and 9 mg.
What are the usual dosages of Invega?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor may adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for schizophrenia
The typical starting dosage of Invega to treat schizophrenia in adults is 6 mg daily. The recommended dosage range is 3 mg to 12 mg once per day. The maximum daily dose for adults is 12 mg.
Dosage for schizoaffective disorder
The usual starting dosage of Invega for treatment of schizoaffective disorder in adults is 6 mg once daily. The typical dosage range is 3 mg to 12 mg once daily. The maximum daily dose for adults is 12 mg.
What’s the dosage of Invega for children?
The usual starting dosage of Invega to treat schizophrenia in children ages 12 years and older is 3 mg daily. Invega is not used to treat children younger than 12 years old. Your child’s doctor will use their weight in kilograms (kg) to determine their dosage.
For children weighing 51 kg* or more, the usual dosage range is 3 mg to 12 mg once per day. The maximum daily dose for children in this weight range is 12 mg.
For children weighing less than 51 kg, the usual dosage range is 3 mg to 6 mg once per day. The maximum daily dose for children in this weight range is 6 mg.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
* One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb), so 51 kg is about 112 lb.
Is Invega used long term?
Yes, Invega is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Invega is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor might adjust your Invega starting dosage if you have kidney problems. Talk with your doctor about your kidney function before starting Invega.
Unlike Invega, which comes in tablet form, Invega Sustenna is an injection into muscle given by a healthcare professional. Invega and Invega Sustenna have different dosing schedules. Invega tablets are taken once per day, but an injection of Invega Sustenna is given once per month.
The dose of Invega Sustenna injections is higher than that of Invega tablets. This is because one dose of Invega Sustenna is slowly released into your body over a month. But because you take Invega tablets every day, the dose doesn’t need to be as high.
To learn more about the dosages of Invega and Invega Sustenna, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Read below for the answers to some common questions about Invega.
How do the dosages compare for Invega tablets and Invega Trinza injections?
Invega Trinza is an injection into muscle given by a healthcare professional, whereas Invega is a tablet you swallow. The dosing schedules of Invega and Invega Trinza are different. Invega tablets are taken once per day, but an injection of Invega Trinza is given once every 3 months.
The dose of Invega Trinza injections is higher than that of Invega tablets. Because you take Invega tablets every day, the dose doesn’t need to be as high as that of the injection. One dose of Invega Trinza is slowly released into your body over 3 months.
For more information about how Invega tablets and Invega Trinza injections compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Invega have a dosing window?
No, the manufacturer does not provide a dosing window for Invega tablets. A dosing window is the time in which it’s safe and effective to administer a dose. But Invega tablets are taken daily.
The manufacturer recommends a dosing window for Invega Trinza injections. The dosing window provides some flexibility to safely receive an injection around the time of a scheduled dose. This can be important if someone misses a dose or needs to schedule an injection appointment early.
The dosing window for Invega Trinza is up to 2 weeks before or after a regularly scheduled dose.
Will I start with a loading dose of Invega?
No, you will not start with a loading dose of Invega. A loading dose is a dose of a drug that’s higher than what you’ll eventually take. Loading doses are given at the beginning of treatment with certain medications. Higher doses of these drugs help produce a rapid response in the body.
The manufacturer of Invega provides recommendations for the drug’s starting dose. Your doctor will prescribe a starting dose that is right for you. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time if needed.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose of Invega. The manufacturer has not given recommendations about missed doses.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Invega on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
The dosage of Invega you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using Invega to treat
- your age
- your weight
- other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Invega’s dosage?”)
You’ll take Invega tablets by swallowing them whole. You can take them with or without food. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. And be sure to follow the instructions your doctor gives you on how to take Invega.
For information on Invega expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Invega in an easy-open container. They may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Do not take more Invega than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- fast heart rate
- abnormal heart rhythm
- sleepiness
- low blood pressure
- unsteady gait
- extrapyramidal symptoms (muscle movements that are uncontrollable and may affect the whole body)
What to do in case you take too much Invega
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Invega. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Withdrawal symptoms have not been reported with Invega. Studies on whether Invega can cause dependence have not been done.
But withdrawal symptoms can occur in newborns if you take Invega during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about whether Invega is the right treatment option for you.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Invega for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Invega without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Invega exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- When will you adjust my dosage of Invega after I take my starting dose?
- How will my dosage change if I switch from Invega tablets to Invega Sustenna?
- Will my dosage change if I have bothersome side effects?
Q:
Does my dosage of Invega need to change if I’m also taking other drugs? What if my doctor prescribes Invega with other medications?
AnonymousA:
Yes, your dosage of Invega may need to change if you’re also taking certain other medications. This is because some other drugs can affect how Invega works in your body. Before starting Invega treatment, tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking. This helps them determine if you need adjustments to your dosage of Invega.
Your doctor may also prescribe other medications for your condition to take with Invega. If you’re also prescribed certain other medications, your dosage of Invega may need adjusting. Examples of such medications include Tegretol (carbamazepine), valproic acid, and Depakote (divalproex sodium).
If you have questions about how Invega might interact with other drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
