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.
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.
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.
Not applicable. This medication is given in a clinic or doctor's office and will not be stored at home.
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 (cannabis), 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.
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.