[MuddyBoots]

I was on risperdal for about a year and a half for schizoaffective and it worked well but it's beginning to poop out on me. They want to switch me to Invega because it's similar and the injection is once a month instead of every two weeks.I've decided to go through with it, but I'm wondering Is it so similar that it won't work (because now risperdal doesn't work)? Where are the differences and what should I expect?

[CANDC]

Originally Posted by Sapien

I was on risperdal for about a year and a half for schizoaffective and it worked well but it's beginning to poop out on me. They want to switch me to Invega because it's similar and the injection is once a month instead of every two weeks.I've decided to go through with it, but I'm wondering Is it so similar that it won't work (because now risperdal doesn't work)? Where are the differences and what should I expect?

It is not uncommon for one med to stop being as effective as it once was. Pdocs usually try another med that is different but has a similar hoped for effect.

Since MSF My Support Forum is a peer to peer support site, no one really is able to tell you how they might work. Another reason is meds work differently in each person, so one person's experience may be totally different from yours. You could research online but even then the real test is not a theory, but does it work in you.

Trying it may be the only way to really know for sure if it will work. Keep in touch with your prescriber to let them know how it is working.

Hoping for the best outcome for you. @CANDC

[mikrw33]

Invega is basically the active metabolite of Risperdal. In other words, assuming you have no problems metabolizing it, your body naturally turns Risperdal into Invega. But if you have issues with certain liver enzymes (specifically CYP2D6 for Risperdal), your body may not be able to adequately convert the Risperdal into Invega in your body. This may be where Invega has an advantage over Risperdal. However, if Risperdal was at one point effective for you and then quit working, I doubt this is the case.

I'm really not sure if Invega would be better if Risperdal quit working. I would think that switching to a different antipsychotic that isn't so closely related to Risperdal would make more sense. FYI, there actually is a monthly shot version of risperidone called Perseris. It's pretty new, so you may have trouble getting it covered by insurance (unless you have other ways of getting your meds covered). Yes, the Invega shots are every month (Invega Sustenna). There is also a shot you get every 3 months (Invega Trinza). There is also a brand-new Invega shot coming out some time this month called Invega Hafyera, which is a shot you get every 6 months (I had no idea this existed until just now!).

If you try the Invega shot and it doesn't work any better than Risperdal, you may want to ask about Abilify Maintena (monthly Abilify shot) or Aristada (which can be administered every month, every 6 weeks, or every 2 months). With Aristada, it's rather complicated to start it... Either you can get a shot of Aristada Initio and take an oral Abilify 30 mg tablet for 1 day, and then begin the regular Aristada shot within 10 days after that, or you can overlap the Aristada with oral Abilify for 21 days (doesn't specify the dose... your psychiatrist would have more info about this...). Aristada is newer than the Abilify Maintena, and I'm really not sure what the advantage(s) is/are over Abilify Maintena except perhaps the flexibility of dosing schedule.

There's also a Zyprexa injectable (Zyprexa Relprevv), but it's either every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks depending on how they dose it.

If your psychiatrist is open to you taking an antipsychotic that isn't an injectable, there's a transdermal patch version of Saphris called Secuado.

[Brego]

For me the Risperdal Consta left me just trying to journal all day long while listening to Korn or other hostile music. I was left smoking cigarettes all day long with an anger problem. Damn did I have this big attitude. It was the medication or the time frame of me growing older. I got the injections for Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. I remember having my memory shot to pieces while on this medication. The Invega however has me forming some goals. I can think more clearly. And I do have hope for my future. The psychiatrist said that the Risperdal Consta had been to no effect essentially, she then switched me to Invega. I am so thankful. This medication is the right way to go with this diagnosis. I quit cigarettes while on this medication. Therefore, I am no longer nicotine dependent.