Paliperidone

Paliperidone is a medication that can be used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Although the medicine is not a cure for schizophrenia, it can help control symptoms and prevent them from returning. Paliperidone tablets are available by prescription and are generally taken once a day in the morning. Drowsiness, headaches, and a rapid heart rate are some of the side effects that have been reported with paliperidone.

 

What Is Paliperidone?

Paliperidone (Invega®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat schizophrenia.
 

Who Makes Paliperidone?

Paliperidone is manufactured by Janssen L.P.
 
(Click What Is Paliperidone Used For? for more information on paliperidone uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does Paliperidone Work?

Paliperidone belongs to a group of medications called atypical (or second-generation) antipsychotic medications. It is not entirely known how paliperidone works for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, it is known that the drug blocks or lessens the effects of several chemicals in the brain. These brain chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) may be elevated in people with schizophrenia.
 
Paliperidone is not a cure for schizophrenia. It only helps to control symptoms (see Symptoms of Schizophrenia).
 

Paliperidone Effects

In previous clinical studies of paliperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia, people taking paliperidone experienced improvements in their schizophrenia symptoms (including hallucinations and suspiciousness), compared to those not taking paliperidone. Longer studies also showed that paliperidone can help prevent hospitalization due to schizophrenia and can help keep symptoms from returning.
 
(Paliperidone Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;