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Paliperidone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Paliperidone is an atypical antipsychotic sold in the U.S. under 6 brand and generic names, for bipolar disorder, depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesUpdated Jul 24, 2026How we research

Key facts

Drug class
Atypical Antipsychotic
Treats (across its forms)
Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia
Available as
Tablet, extended release · Injectable
Sold as
6 products — Invega, Invega Hafyera and Invega Sustenna, and others
Prescription?
Prescription only
Generic available?
Yes
What the pharmacy pays
about $33 for a 30-count supply — not your price
Boxed warning
Boxed warning

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How Invega is dosed

From the FDA label for Invega (application NDA021999). Other paliperidone products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Initial Dose Recommended Dose Maximum Dose Schizophrenia - adults ( 2.1 ) 6 mg/day 3 – 12 mg/day 12 mg/day Schizophrenia-adolescents ( 2.1 ) Weight < 51kg 3 mg/day 3 – 6 mg/day 6 mg/day Weight ≥ 51kg 3 mg/day 3 – 12 mg/day 12 mg/day Schizoaffective disorder - adults ( 2.2 ) 6 mg/day 3 – 12 mg/day 12 mg/day Tablet should be swallowed whole and should not be chewed, divided, or crushed. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Schizophrenia Adults The recommended dose of INVEGA (paliperidone) Extended-Release Tablets for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults is 6 mg administered once daily. Initial dose titration is not required. Although it has not been systematically established that doses above 6 mg have additional benefit, there was a general trend for greater effects with higher doses. This must be weighed against the dose-related increase in adverse reactions. Thus, some patients may benefit from higher doses, up to 12 mg/day, and for some patients, a lower dose of 3 mg/day may be sufficient. Dose increases above 6 mg/day should be made only after clinical reassessment and generally should occur at intervals of more than 5 days. When dose increases are indicated, increments of 3 mg/day are recommended. The maximum recommended dose is 12 mg/day. In a longer-term study, INVEGA has been shown to be effective in delaying time to relapse in patients with schizophrenia who were stabilized on INVEGA for 6…

Everything below is the FDA label for Invega (tablet, extended release). Paliperidone is also sold as injectable, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Invega side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including stroke, in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Neuroleptic malignant syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Tardive dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Metabolic changes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Hyperprolactinemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Potential for gastrointestinal obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Orthostatic hypotension and syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Falls [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Potential for cognitive and motor impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Dysphagia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] Disruption of body temperature regulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ] Commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and at least twice that for placebo) were ( 6 ) Adults with schizophrenia: extrapyramidal…

Who shouldn’t take Invega

INVEGA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to either paliperidone or risperidone, or to any of the excipients in the INVEGA formulation. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema, have been reported in patients treated with risperidone and in patients treated with paliperidone. Paliperidone is a metabolite of risperidone. Known hypersensitivity to paliperidone, risperidone, or to any excipients in INVEGA. ( 4 )

Invega drug interactions

Centrally-acting drugs: Due to CNS effects, use caution in combination. Avoid alcohol. ( 7.1 ) Drugs that may cause orthostatic hypotension: An additive effect may be observed when co-administered with INVEGA. ( 7.1 ) Strong CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inducers: It may be necessary to increase the dose of INVEGA when a strong inducer of both CYP3A4 and P-gp (e.g., carbamazepine) is co-administered. Conversely, on discontinuation of the strong inducer, it may be necessary to decrease the dose of INVEGA. ( 7.2 ) Co-administration of divalproex sodium increased C max and AUC of paliperidone by approximately 50%. Adjust dose of INVEGA if necessary based on clinical assessment. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Potential for INVEGA to Affect Other Drugs Given the primary CNS effects of paliperidone [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 , 6.2 )] , INVEGA should be used with caution in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol. Paliperidone may antagonize the effect of levodopa and other dopamine agonists. Because of its potential for inducing orthostatic hypotension, an additive effect may be observed when INVEGA is administered with other therapeutic agents that have this potential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] . Paliperidone is not expected to cause clinically important pharmacokinetic interactions with drugs that are metabolized by cytochrome P450 isozymes. In vitro studies in human liver microsomes showed that paliperidone does not substantially inhibit the metabolism of drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 isozymes, including CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8/9/10, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5. Therefore, paliperidone is not expected to inhibit clearance of drugs that are metabolized by these metabolic pathways in a clinically relevant manner. Paliperidone is also not expected to have enzyme inducing properties. Paliperidone is a weak inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at high concentrations. No in vivo data are available and the clinical relevance is unknown. Pharmacokinetic interaction between lithium and INVEGA is unlikely. In a drug interaction study, co-administration of INVEGA (12 mg once daily for 5 days) with divalproex sodium extended-release tablets (500 mg to 2000 mg once daily) did not affect the steady-state pharmacokinetics (AUC 24h and C max,ss ) of valproate in 13 patients stabilized on valproate. In a clinical study, subjects on stable doses of valproate had comparable valproate average plasma concentrations when INVEGA 3–15 mg/day was added to their existing valproate treatment. 7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect INVEGA Paliperidone is not a substrate of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19, so that an interaction with inhibitors or inducers of these isozymes is unlikely. While in vitro studies indicate that CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 may be minimally involved in paliperidone metabolism, in vivo studies do not show decreased elimination by these isozymes and they contribute to only a small fraction of total body clearance. In vitro studies have shown that paliperidone is a P-gp substrate. Co-administration of INVEGA 6 mg once daily with carbamazepine, a strong inducer of both CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), at 200 mg twice daily caused a decrease of approximately 37% in the mean steady-state C max and AUC of paliperidone. This decrease is caused, to a substantial degree, by a 35% increase in renal clearance of paliperidone. A minor decrease in the amount of drug excreted unchanged in the urine suggests that there was little effect on the CYP metabolism or bioavailability of paliperidone during carbamazepine co-administration. On initiation of carbamazepine, the dose of INVEGA should be re-evaluated and increased if necessary. Conversely, on discontinuation of carbamazepine, the dose of INVEGA should be re-evaluated and decreased if necessary. Paliperidone is metabolized to a limited extent by CYP2D6 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In an interaction study in healthy subjects in which a single 3 mg dose of INVEGA was administered concomitantly with 20 mg per day of paroxetine (a potent CYP2D6 inhibitor), paliperidone exposures were on average 16% (90% CI: 4, 30) higher in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers. Higher doses of paroxetine have not been studied. The clinical relevance is unknown. Co-administration of a single dose of INVEGA 12 mg with divalproex sodium extended-release tablets (two 500 mg tablets once daily) resulted in an increase of approximately 50% in the C max and AUC of paliperidone. Dosage reduction for INVEGA should be considered when INVEGA is co-administered with valproate after clinical assessment. Pharmacokinetic interaction between lithium and INVEGA is unlikely.

Every paliperidone product we track (6)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Paliperidone products
#DrugRatingPharmacy pays
170/100$33View →
270/100View →
370/100View →
470/100View →
5Not yet ratedView →
6Not yet rated$33View →

What paliperidone pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Paliperidone pill imprints
ImprintStrengthColourShape
PL11.5 mgbrownround
PL23 mgwhiteround
PL36 mgyellowround
PL49 mgpinkround
EP;33 mgwhiteround
EP;99 mgwhiteround
EP;66 mgyellowround
EP;1;51.5 mgblueround

Can you crush or split paliperidone?

At least one paliperidoneproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.

What each paliperidone label says about crushing, splitting and chewing

How long paliperidone keeps

No paliperidone label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.

Does paliperidone expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labels

Paliperidone and breastfeeding

From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.

Although no published data are available for the use of paliperidone during breastfeeding, the manufacturer reported milk levels indicating that an infant would receive about 1% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage. Paliperidone is the active metabolite of risperidone. Risperidone data indicate that the concentrations of paliperidone (9-hydroxyrisperidone) in breastmilk are low, and amounts ingested by the infant are small. A safety scoring system finds paliperidone possible to use cautiously during breastfeeding, although others do not recommend it. Because there is no published experience with paliperidone during breastfeeding and little long-term follow-up data, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Because paliperidone is available only as long-acting products, timing of nursing with respect to doses would not be useful. Long-acting injectable formulations may continue to deliver small amounts to breastmilk for many months. Monitor breastfed infants for drowsiness, adequate growth and weight gain, jitteriness, tremors, and abnormal movements.

Full LactMed record for paliperidone: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider instead

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised June 15, 2026. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.

What people report to the FDA about paliperidone

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 8,220 reports naming paliperidone, and the FDA flagged 93% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

  • schizophrenia592 reports
  • sedation587 reports
  • dyskinesia564 reports
  • dystonia535 reports
  • hospitalisation463 reports
  • sexual dysfunction428 reports
  • blood glucose increased416 reports
  • blood prolactin abnormal383 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean paliperidone caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 25, 2026.

Related calculators

Frequently asked questions

What is Invega?

INVEGA ® contains paliperidone, an atypical antipsychotic belonging to the chemical class of benzisoxazole derivatives. INVEGA contains a racemic mixture of (+)- and (-)- paliperidone.

What kind of drug is paliperidone?

The FDA classifies paliperidone as an atypical antipsychotic. Atypical antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, rebalancing these signaling chemicals to reduce hallucinations, delusions, and mood symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take paliperidone with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run paliperidone against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is paliperidone sold under?

We track 6 paliperidone-containing products in the U.S.: Invega, Invega Hafyera, Invega Sustenna, Invega Trinza, Erzofri and Paliperidone. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does paliperidone come in?

Across the brands we track, paliperidone is currently marketed as tablet, extended release and injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic paliperidone?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic paliperidone product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Cite this page
APA
pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Paliperidone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/paliperidone
MLA
“Paliperidone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/paliperidone.

We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Read the full FDA label for paliperidone on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.