Invega (paliperidone) is one of the most popular antipsychotics prescribed to children in America, and is often used to treat different mood disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Even though this medication has helped millions of patients, reports of severe Invega side effects in kids have caught the attention of the medical community and patient population.

Approved by the FDA in 2006, Invega is manufactured and produced by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

It’s approval came around the same time Risperdal (risperidone) had been approved to treat children with extreme mental disorders and certain forms of autism.

Previously, Risperdal had been approved to only treat adults but had been prescribed for off label purposes to treat children since the early 1990s.

Invega and Risperdal have the same psychological effects on the brain, but are metabolized differently in the body.

Invega is actually the main metabolite of Risperdal, which means it is the primary chemical ingredient remaining in the body after the liver breaks the drug down into its core ingredients.

Invega is considered an atypical antipsychotic due to how it balances the brain’s dopamine and serotonin levels, which have been toted as being more effective than other antipsychotic types.

Overview of Invega Side Effects

Even though this medication has helped treat numerous children, there have been serious Invega side effects in kids reported.

One of the most infamously reported Invega side effects in kids is the formation of gynecomastia, or male breast growth.

Numerous young male patients have reported developing “man boobs” soon after being prescribed Invega. Some have grown as large as D cups and even produce white discharge.

When Invega is is metabolized through the body, it directly interacts with the patient’s pituitary gland. In reaction, the body’s natural prolactin production is significantly increased.

Prolactin is the hormone primarily responsible for breast development in young women and is naturally produced in small amounts in young boys.

The Invega side effects in kids indicate that gynecomastia can develop in young boys in consequence of the drug’s treatment mechanism, with young girls reportedly developing galactorrhea or the absence of menstrual cycles and delayed maturation.

Other Invega side effects reported include:

• Pituitary Tumors
• Type-2 Diabetes
• Significant Weight Gain
• Movement Disorders
• Cardiac Complications

Even though Invega side effects in kids and adults can be potentially dangerous, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to disclose this information from the population.

Patients who suffered unexpected Invega side effects may be able to seek compensation for their injuries. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine if they are eligible for an Invega lawsuit.