PALIPERIDONE - INJECTION

PALIPERIDONE - INJECTION

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (PAL-ee-PER-i-done)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Invega Sustenna

GENERIC NAME(S): paliperidone palmitate

Uses

USES: This medication is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder). Paliperidone is an antipsychotic drug (atypical type). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. This medication can decrease hallucinations and help you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less agitated, and take a more active part in everyday life.


How to use PALIPERIDONE - INJECTION

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using paliperidone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. This medication is given by injection into a muscle (upper arm or buttocks) by a health care professional. The first 2 doses are usually given 1 week apart, in the upper arm. After the first 2 doses, the medication is usually given into the upper arm or buttocks every month or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark the days on the calendar when you need to receive the medication. Continue using this medication exactly as prescribed, even if you are feeling better and thinking more clearly. Do not stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, weight gain, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly. Dizziness and lightheadedness can increase the risk of falling. These effects are more likely to occur in the first few days after starting/restarting the drug or after your dose increases. Get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: difficulty swallowing, restlessness, muscle spasms, interrupted breathing during sleep. Get medical help right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: fainting, severe dizziness, slow heartbeat, seizures. Paliperidone may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any unusual/uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, arms, or legs). This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness, severe tiredness, severe confusion, sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat, dark urine, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). This drug may rarely make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. This drug may also cause significant weight gain and a rise in your blood cholesterol (or triglyceride) levels. These effects, along with diabetes, may increase your risk for developing heart disease. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor. (See also Notes section.) Rarely, this medication may increase your blood level of a certain hormone (prolactin). In females, an increase in prolactin levels may result in unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant. In males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: See also Warnings section. Before using paliperidone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to risperidone; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, low white blood cell count (leukopenia), seizures, Parkinson's disease, dementia, certain eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma), personal or family history of diabetes, high cholesterol/triglyceride levels, heart disease (such as previous heart attack), breathing trouble during sleep (sleep apnea). Paliperidone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using paliperidone, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using paliperidone safely. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. This medication may make you sweat less, making you more likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs. When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness. Before having surgery (including cataract/glaucoma eye surgery), tell your doctor or dentist if you are using or have ever used this medication, and about all the other products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and QT prolongation (see above). Drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness can increase the risk of falling. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop symptoms including muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, feeding/breathing difficulties, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn especially during their first month, tell the doctor right away. Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. A product that may interact with this drug is: metoclopramide. Many drugs besides paliperidone may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, chlorpromazine, moxifloxacin, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, thioridazine, among others. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana, drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness/dizziness, fast/irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness/spasms, restlessness, unusual/uncontrolled movements.

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Faq for PALIPERIDONE - INJECTION

Paliperidone Injection is used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Paliperidone Injection works by balancing certain chemicals in the brain that are responsible for symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Paliperidone Injection is typically administered once a month.

Common side effects of Paliperidone Injection include tremors, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, restlessness, and weight gain. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider for a complete list of potential side effects.

Paliperidone Injection should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider.

Paliperidone Injection is not recommended for use in children under the age of 18.

There are several medications that may interact with Paliperidone Injection, including certain antidepressants, antifungal medications, and medications that affect heart rhythm. It is crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking before starting Paliperidone Injection.

Paliperidone Injection is specifically approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It should not be used for other conditions unless prescribed by a healthcare provider.

The effects of Paliperidone Injection may not be immediately noticeable. It may take several weeks for the medication to reach its full effect.


Warning

WARNING: There may be a slightly increased risk of serious, possibly fatal side effects (such as stroke, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, pneumonia) when this medication is used by older adults with dementia. This medication is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related behavior problems. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments for dementia-related behavior problems, with the doctor.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.