Paliperidone Dosing

For the treatment of schizophrenia, paliperidone dosing typically starts at 6 mg once a day. If needed, your healthcare provider may increase your daily dose up to 12 mg. Certain people, such as those with kidney disease, may need to start at a lower paliperidone dosage (such as 3 mg once daily). To maintain even levels of the medicine in your blood, make sure to take your dosage at the same time each day.

 

An Introduction to Paliperidone Dosing

The dose of paliperidone (Invega®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your paliperidone dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
Paliperidone Dosing for Schizophrenia
The recommended starting paliperidone dose for schizophrenia is 6 mg once daily in the morning. If needed, your healthcare provider can increase your dose up to 12 mg once daily in the morning.
 
People with kidney disease may need a lower paliperidone dose (such as paliperidone 3 mg once daily).
 

General Information on Paliperidone Dosing

Some considerations for people taking paliperidone include:
 
  • Paliperidone comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth once a day in the morning.
     
  • It does not matter if you take paliperidone with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Paliperidone tablets are specially designed to slowly release the medication over time. They should be swallowed whole with water (or other liquids) and should not be crushed, chewed, or broken.
     
  • Paliperidone should be taken at the same time each day to maintain even levels of the drug in your blood.
     
  • For the drug to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Paliperidone will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or paliperidone dosing in general, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking paliperidone without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Invega Withdrawal).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;