What Can You Tell Me About An Experimental Drug Called Invega?

Reader’s Question

What can you tell me about an experimental drug called Invega? Envega?

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

I can start off by telling you Invega is no longer “experimental”. In the United States, Invega has been approved for the treatment of Schizophrenia. While I’m not a physician or psychopharmacologist, I can give you some information about this new antipsychotic medication.

When we use a medication of any kind, the body chemically breaks down the medication through a process of metabolism. Active ingredients in the medication are released and through this process, a combination of active and inactive end products are produced. These leftover or end-products of metabolism are called metabolites. Over the years, researchers have found that many medications, after they are normally processed by the body, produce active metabolites that also have the ability to change brain/body chemistry.

Invega (paliperidone) is an antipsychotic medication that is actually the active metabolite of Risperdal, another well-known antipsychotic. Invega is thought to influence Dopamine and Serotonin in the brain, thus producing the antipsychotic action. Like many antipsychotics, side effects can include akathisia (uncontrollable restlessness) and extrapyramidal effects (muscle stiffness, rigidity, etc.).

I have worked with patients who are prescribed Invega and they report good results. Invega seems to be helpful in reducing the frequency, volume, and duration of auditory hallucinations for example. Like most antipsychotics, Invega doesn’t erase previous delusions/paranoia but it does help the patient by reducing new paranoid ideation and delusions. All antipsychotic medications must be closely monitored by the psychiatrist. These are also not medications that can be used on an as-needed basis.

For additional information on medications and brain neurotransmitters in psychosis, I would recommend reading my article on Chemical Imbalance on my website at www.drjoecarver.com. This website also contains information on new medications and treatments for schizophrenia.