Invega (paliperidone) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain mental health conditions. Specifically, Invega is used to treat:
- schizophrenia in adults and children ages 12 years and older
- schizoaffective disorder in adults
Invega comes as an oral tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. Invega contains the active drug paliperidone, which is also available as a generic medication.
In addition, Invega is available in injectable forms, called Invega Hafyera, Invega Sustenna, and Invega Trinza.
However, this article will focus on the oral tablet form of Invega. If you have questions about using a different form of Invega, talk with your doctor.
Dosage summary
The following chart summarizes Invega’s dosage. Kilograms and milligrams are abbreviated as kg and mg. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
| Condition | Initial daily dose | Dosage range | Maximum dosage |
| schizophrenia in adults | 6 mg | 3 mg to 12 mg | 12 mg |
| schizoaffective disorder in adults | 6 mg | 3 mg to 12 mg | 12 mg |
| schizophrenia in children* weighing less than 52 kg† (about 112 lb) | 3 mg | 3 mg to 6 mg | 6 mg |
| schizophrenia in children weighing 52 kg (about 112 lb) or more | 3 mg | 3 mg to 12 mg | 12 mg |
* The FDA approved Invega to treat schizophrenia in children ages 12 years and older.
† One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
If you would like to learn more about the best dosing for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend a dosing schedule for your condition.
For information about the dosage of Invega, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Invega, see this article.
Your doctor will recommend the best dosage of Invega for you. Always be sure to take the dosage of this medication that your doctor recommends.
Invega form
Invega comes as an oral tablet.
Invega strength
Invega comes in four strengths:
- 1.5 milligrams (mg)
- 3 mg
- 6 mg
- 9 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start you at the recommended dosage of Invega for your age and condition. Then they may adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for schizophrenia
Your doctor will likely recommend an initial dosage of 6 mg once daily to treat schizophrenia.
There is no loading dose recommended for Invega. Loading doses are higher doses of medications that doctors may prescribe at the start of treatment. However, the recommended dosage of Invega to start treatment is 6 mg once per day. Your doctor may increase or decrease this dosage based on how well the drug is working for you.
If a 6 mg dose of Invega is not working well enough for your symptoms, your doctor may increase your dosage to 12 mg once daily. If your doctor increases your dosage, they may do so slowly over time. This is recommended so your body can adjust to an increase in Invega. The maximum dosage of Invega for schizophrenia is 12 mg once daily. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a lower dosage of 3 mg once per day.
Before you start taking Invega, talk with your doctor about the best dosing schedule for you.
Dosage for schizoaffective disorder
The recommended initial dose of Invega to treat schizoaffective disorder is 6 mg once per day. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dosage based on how well the drug is working for you.
There is no loading dose recommended for Invega. Loading doses are higher doses of medications that doctors may prescribe at the start of treatment.
If a 6-mg dose of Invega is not working well enough for your symptoms, your doctor may increase your dosage to 12 mg once daily. If your doctor increases your dosage, they may do so slowly over time. This is recommended so your body can adjust to an increase in Invega. The maximum dosage of Invega for schizophrenia is 12 mg once daily. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a lower dosage of 3 mg once per day.
For schizoaffective disorder, your doctor may recommend taking Invega alone or in combination with other medications to treat your condition, such as mood stabilizers or antidepressants.
Before you start taking Invega, talk with your doctor about the best dosing schedule for you.
Children’s dosage
Invega is approved to treat schizophrenia in children ages 12 years and older. The recommended starting dosage is 3 mg once daily. In children weighing less than 51 kg* (about 112 lb), the dosage may be increased to a maximum of 6 mg per day.
The initial dose of Invega for children weighing more than 52 kg (about 112 lb) is typically 3 mg once per day. Then, the dosage can be adjusted in children as it is in adults with schizophrenia. For more information on the recommended dosage of Invega, see the “Dosage for schizophrenia” section above.
Invega is not approved to treat schizoaffective disorder in children.
* One kilogram (kg) is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Long-term treatment
Invega is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Invega is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Invega dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the severity of the condition you’re using Invega to treat
- your age or weight (in children)
- other medications that you’re taking
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Invega dosage.
Dosage adjustments
In certain cases, your doctor may recommend adjusting your dosage of Invega. These situations include:
- if you are taking other medications in combination with Invega
- if you have kidney problems
- if Invega is not working well enough for you
Talk with your doctor about the best dosage of Invega for you.
You should take your dose of Invega once per day. Invega comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. You can take Invega with or without food.
Be sure to swallow your Invega tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush Invega. This is because the drug works by slowly releasing into your body over time. So, by breaking, crushing, or chewing the tablet, you may get too much medication at once.
You can take your dose of Invega at any time of the day. It may be helpful to take your dose of Invega at around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Invega can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug labels and containersIf you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Invega in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss your dose of Invega, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on how long it has been since your missed dose, your doctor or pharmacist can recommend what you should do. In some cases, they may recommend taking a dose of Invega as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose of Invega, your doctor may recommend skipping your missed dose and taking your next dose as scheduled.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, 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.
If you take more Invega than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.
It’s important that you do not use more Invega than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Invega can include:
- sleepiness
- increased heart rate
- low blood pressure
- difficulty walking
- abnormal heart rhythm
- involuntary muscle movements
If you take more than the recommended amount of Invega
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Invega. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Invega isn’t known to cause withdrawal or dependence in people taking the medication. Withdrawal symptoms can occur if your body becomes used to a medication and then you stop taking the drug.
Invega is not known to cause drug dependence. Dependence can occur if your body becomes used to taking a drug, and you need to have the drug in order to feel normal.
If you stop taking Invega, symptoms of your schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder may return or get worse. Due to this risk, talk with your doctor before stopping treatment with Invega.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Invega for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Invega without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Invega that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Invega. These additional resources might be helpful to you:
- More about Invega. For information about other aspects of Invega, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Invega, see this article. You can also look at the Invega prescribing information.
- Details about schizophrenia. For more information about mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, see our mental health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.
