Invega Sustenna® Injection for Schizophrenia

Invega Sustenna® Injection is a long-acting antipsychotic used for ongoing management of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It helps maintain symptom control with a monthly schedule administered by a clinician. This page explains how the treatment works, who it may suit, and how you can arrange US delivery from Canada, including options for those paying without insurance.

What Invega Sustenna Is and How It Works

This medicine contains paliperidone palmitate, a long-acting form of paliperidone. It belongs to the atypical antipsychotic class. The active compound helps balance dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain, which can reduce hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and mood symptoms. Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

Clinicians administer the medication as a deep intramuscular injection into the shoulder or buttock. After injection, the depot slowly releases medicine over weeks, providing consistent exposure between doses. This schedule supports adherence for people who struggle with daily oral therapy. For foundational details, see our condition resources on Schizophrenia and broader Mental Health topics.

Exact term use for search clarity: Paliperidone Palmitate Injection.

Who It’s For

This treatment is approved for adults with schizophrenia. It is also indicated for adults with schizoaffective disorder, either as monotherapy or together with mood stabilizers or antidepressants when directed by a clinician. People who have shown benefit and tolerability on paliperidone or risperidone are typical candidates for a long-acting option.

Avoid use if you have a known hypersensitivity to paliperidone or risperidone. The product is not approved for elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. People with significant kidney issues, a history of severe reactions to antipsychotics, or a condition prone to QT prolongation need careful evaluation by a prescriber before receiving injections. If you are transitioning from oral therapy, your clinician may review past response to agents like Risperidone to guide planning.

Exact term use for search clarity: Invega Sustenna Injection.

Dosage and Usage

Administration follows a labeled initiation plan followed by monthly maintenance dosing. A healthcare professional gives the first two doses about one week apart, usually in the deltoid. After that, maintenance injections are scheduled once monthly, delivered into the deltoid or gluteal muscle. The clinician will choose the site and dose based on your clinical status.

Do not attempt self-injection. Attend each scheduled appointment, as consistent timing supports steady symptom control. If you are starting from oral risperidone or paliperidone, your prescriber may confirm tolerability before the first long-acting dose. Guidance in clinic includes monitoring for side effects shortly after initiation and periodic reassessment to adjust the maintenance plan if needed.

Exact term use for search clarity: Invega Sustenna 234 mg.

Strengths and Forms

The product is supplied as a prefilled syringe kit for intramuscular use. Availability can vary by pharmacy and country of origin. Commonly published strengths include:

• 39 mg
• 78 mg
• 117 mg
• 156 mg
• 234 mg

Kits include a syringe with a safety needle system and needles suited for deltoid or gluteal administration. Your clinic team selects the strength and needle based on the labeled schedule and your body weight. See our Canada source details for origin information. Exact term use for search clarity: Paliperidone Palmitate 156 mg.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a scheduled injection is missed, contact your clinician promptly. There are labeled catch-up approaches depending on how much time has passed since the last dose. Do not receive extra injections to make up for a missed visit. The clinic will plan the safest way to get you back on track, which may involve short-term adjustments per the official labeling.

Storage and Travel Basics

Clinics store the syringes at controlled room temperature in the original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze. If you ever need to transport an unopened syringe set to your provider’s office, keep it in the carton and avoid excessive heat. For travel, carry documentation such as a copy of your prescription and clinic appointment details. Keep the kit in your carry-on if flying and allow extra time for screening. Ask your clinic for specific handling advice aligned with the label.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This product is not a pen device; it is a single-use prefilled syringe. Preparation and injection are performed by a healthcare professional. If you have any role in transporting or handing the sealed syringe to a clinic, do not open the blister or attach needles yourself. After injection, used needles and syringes go into an approved sharps container. Never recap a needle, and do not throw used sharps in household trash. Follow local regulations for disposal or return to your clinic for proper handling.

Benefits

Monthly administration can support adherence compared with daily pills. Consistent therapeutic levels may help reduce breakthrough symptoms and relapses. Clinic-based dosing provides regular contact with a care team, which can reinforce ongoing support, assessment, and education. This approach can simplify routines for people who benefit from scheduled, supervised treatment.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection site pain or swelling
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weight gain or appetite increase
• Restlessness or akathisia
• Tremor or muscle stiffness
• Nausea or constipation
• Headache

Serious effects are uncommon but can include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, high prolactin-related effects, seizures, significant metabolic changes, and orthostatic hypotension. Antipsychotics can increase mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis; this product is not approved for that use. Use caution with activities requiring alertness until you know how the medicine affects you. Report concerning symptoms to your clinician immediately.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Tell your prescriber about all medicines and supplements you use. Notable considerations include other antipsychotics, drugs that prolong the QT interval, dopamine agonists such as levodopa, and strong inducers such as carbamazepine that may lower paliperidone exposure. Alcohol and sedatives can increase drowsiness. People with kidney impairment, a history of seizures, or conditions that predispose to low blood pressure need careful monitoring. See the official labeling before starting or changing any medicine.

What to Expect Over Time

During the first month, the clinic administers two start-up injections and monitors response. Thereafter, dosing is monthly at a time set with your care team. Many people notice steadier symptom control when doses are on schedule. Keeping all appointments, reporting side effects, and working with your clinician on goals can support long-term stability. You can also learn about other therapies in our articles, including Latuda Uses and Common Latuda Side Effects.

Compare With Alternatives

Two clinic-administered alternatives include:

• Abilify Maintena: aripiprazole long-acting injectable given monthly.
• Risperdal Consta Kit: risperidone long-acting injection typically given every two weeks.

Oral options remain important in some plans. Explore related products like Aripiprazole, Zyprexa, and Clozapine with your clinician if long-acting therapy is not suitable.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing with US shipping from Canada may help reduce cash-pay costs. You can compare options, see current availability, and place your order through Borderfreehealth’s secure checkout; payment details are protected with encrypted processing. If you use manufacturer or pharmacy offers, review terms before applying them. Promotions may be available at times.

Exact term use for search clarity: Invega Sustenna cost.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength and source country. If a requested kit is not available, your prescriber may recommend a comparable long-acting antipsychotic or consider oral therapy temporarily. Pharmacists will not substitute without your clinician’s approval. Discuss any change to your regimen before it happens so your plan remains consistent.

Exact term use for search clarity: Invega Sustenna generic.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This therapy may suit adults who benefit from consistent monthly dosing and prefer supervised administration. It may not suit those with significant kidney impairment, a history of severe adverse reactions to paliperidone or risperidone, or those at high risk for QT prolongation. If mood symptoms are prominent, your clinician may add or adjust other medicines.

• Plan ahead: book next appointments before leaving the clinic.
• Multi-month scheduling: align visits with work or school breaks.
• Budgeting: review out-of-pocket costs and payment options in advance.
• Refill reminders: set calendar alerts so supply is ready for your visit.
• Education: read about choices such as Lexapro Vs Abilify to discuss options.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• How will this long-acting therapy fit with my current medicines and goals?
• What early side effects should I watch for after the first two doses?
• If I miss an appointment, what steps will the clinic take to reschedule safely?
• Could oral agents like Zyprexa Zydis or extended-release options such as Quetiapine XR support my plan?
• Are there interaction concerns with supplements or over-the-counter products I use?
• What lab or weight checks should we repeat over time to monitor my health?

Authoritative Sources

Manufacturer Prescribing InformationFDA DailyMed LabelHealth Canada DPD

Ready to proceed? You can place your order with prompt, express shipping that uses temperature-controlled handling when required. This page is informational and does not replace your clinician’s guidance.