Anyone taking the popular antipsychotic drug should know about the adverse effects of Invega.

Invega (paliperidone) and Risperdal (risperidone) both are made by Johnson & Johnson and are FDA approved to treat schizophrenia.

Unfortunately, many men and boys suffer from adverse effects of Invega, including hormonal imbalances as a result of the drug’s work on the pituitary gland.

Invega works by blocking dopamine receptors. Dopamine controls the levels of prolactin, the hormone that controls sex drive in men and enables lactation in women.

Adverse Effects of Invega: Man Boobs

Gynecomastia is the medical term for the development of abnormally large breasts in men. The breast size cannot be reduced by simply losing weight because the tissue is mainly glandular tissue, not fat. Only surgery can reduce the breast size.

Sometimes, one breast is larger than the other. In other cases, hormonal changes can result in a milky substance leaking from the breasts.

According to the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, more than 90 percent of people taking Risperdal or Invega have high levels of prolactin.

Women can experience adverse effects of Invega, too. In addition to nipple discharge, women could see a delay in growth and maturation, the same as their male counterparts.

Pituitary Tumors A Possibility

When Invega causes the pituitary gland to generate more prolactin, it also causes the gland itself to enlarge. The production of other hormones becomes off balanced because of this growth, and pituitary tumors can develop.

Anyone on Invega who experiences vision issues, internal bleeding, headaches or convulsions should see a doctor and undergo an examination for the possibility of a pituitary tumor.

Fortunately, most of the pituitary tumors are benign.

Adverse Effects of Invega Can Include Diabetes

Invega is associated with elevated blood sugar levels and a higher rate of type 2 diabetes. Weight gain is another side effect of Invega, and weight gain itself can lead to a greater risk of diabetes.

On average, people with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those taking Invega should monitor their blood sugar numbers.

Invega Effects on the Heart, Movement

Invega can cause a rapid heart rate or an irregular heart rate. When an irregular heart rate occurs suddenly, death can result.

At least two movement disorders have been connected to Invega use. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) is a loss of control over one’s movements, and tardive dyskinesia is the onset of involuntary, repetitive movements.

These aberrations in movement can resemble Parkinson’s disease.

Any loss of motion while on Invega should be reported to a doctor because left unattended, the problem can become irreversible. Depending upon the individual patient’s situation, Invega therapy may or may not be discontinued.

All patients need to be aware of the adverse effects of Invega. If you or someone you know has taken Invega and suffered ill side effects, you could benefit from a class action lawsuit to receive compensation.