Invega, a popular antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia in adolescents and adults, has been found to have serious side effects including male breast growth and heart problems such as arrhythmia, cardiac arrest and even cardiac death.

Invega, paliperidone, was introduced to the market in 2006 by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson. It is most commonly used to treat schizophrenia in both adolescents and adults.

Side Effects of Invega: Arrhythmia

Invega, as well as other antipsychotics, are known to be associated with heart conditions like arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

Arrhythmia, one of the possible side effects of Invega, is a serious irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

Antipsychotic drug studies found that patients had up to a 3 times more likely risk of developing arrhythmia and cardiac arrest than the control group. Rates of death were between 2.8 and 5.8 times higher.

Invega has been associated with increased heart rates and those who already have heart problems should be advised to discuss the risks with their doctor.

Side Effects of Invega: Gynecomastia

Not only is Invega associated with irregular heart beat and heart problems, but one of the more concerning side effects of Invega is called Gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the abnormal breast growth in males and in this case, is associate with the taking of the drug, Invega.

It is thought that Invega increases the body’s production of the hormone, prolactin. Prolactin is present in males as well as females, but at an elevated level in males, it causes abnormal breast growth. At some times, it even causes lactation.

The drug affects the function of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin and thus affects prolactin levels indirectly. Invega stimulates an increase in prolactin by blocking the receptors that work with these neurotransmitters.

This condition normally begins as a sort of lump just beneath the nipple. Breasts may grow at different rates or one may not grow at all. Gynecomastia does not necessarily affect both breasts.

This is the more serious of the side effects of Invega because young boys or young men who take Invega can experience additional weight gain, an increase in fatty tissue and breasts growing as large as D-cups.

Sometimes, simply stopping Invega can help the problem. But some of the more severe cases of gynecomastia, one of the side effects of Invega, do not go away on their own. These patients may need surgery to rectify the condition.

Other Side Effects of Invega

An increased risk of type-2 diabetes and pituitary tumors can also be added to the list of possible side effects of Invega.

Other side effects of Invega include:

• Abnormal Movements
• Abdominal pain
• Akathisia (Restlessness)
• Anxiety
• Cardiac Death (Higher Risk in Elderly Patients)
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Weight Gain

If you believe you have suffered adverse side effects of Invega you may be entitled to legal compensation. An experienced Invega side effects attorney can help.