← Paliperidone palmitate

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Paliperidone palmitate

Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class)

Prepared 20 Sep 2026

What it is used for

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE INVEGA SUSTENNA (paliperidone palmitate) is indicated for the treatment of: Schizophrenia in adults [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Schizoaffective disorder in adults as monotherapy and as an adjunct to mood stabilizers or antidepressants [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. INVEGA SUSTENNA is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for Treatment of schizophrenia in adults. ( 1 ) Treatment of schizoaffective disorder in adults as monotherapy and as an adjunct to mood stabilizers or antidepressants. ( 1 )

Warnings

Reactions, Including Stroke, in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis: Increased incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions (e.g. stroke, transient ischemic attack). ( 5.2 ) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Manage with immediate discontinuation of drug and close monitoring. ( 5.3 ) QT Prolongation: Avoid use with drugs that also increase QT interval and in patients with risk factors for prolonged QT interval. ( 5.4 ) Tardive Dyskinesia: Discontinue drug if clinically appropriate. ( 5.5 ) Metabolic Changes: Monitor for hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and weight gain. ( 5.6 ) Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope: Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and warn patients with known cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, and risk of dehydration or syncope. ( 5.7 ) Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis: Perform complete blood counts (CBC) in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) or history of leukopenia or neutropenia. Consider discontinuing INVEGA SUSTENNA if clinically significant decline in WBC in the absence of other causative factors. ( 5.9 ) Hyperprolactinemia: Prolactin elevations occur and persist during chronic administration. ( 5.10 ) Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: Use caution when operating machinery. ( 5.11 ) Seizures: Use cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold. ( 5.12 ) 5.1 Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of 17 placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. INVEGA SUSTENNA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 5.2 Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions, Including Stroke, in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis In placebo-controlled trials with risperidone, aripiprazole, and olanzapine in elderly subjects with dementia, there was a higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions (cerebrovascular accidents and transient ischemic attacks) including fatalities compared to placebo-treated subjects. No studies have been conducted with oral paliperidone, INVEGA SUSTENNA, or the 3-month paliperidone palmitate extended-release injectable suspension in elderly patients with dementia. These medicines are not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . 5.3 Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported in association with antipsychotic drugs, including paliperidone. Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status including delirium, and autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac dysrhythmia). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. If NMS is suspected, immediately discontinue INVEGA SUSTENNA and provide symptomatic treatment and monitoring. 5.4 QT Prolongation Paliperidone causes a modest increase in the corrected QT (QTc) interval. The use of paliperidone should be avoided in combination with other drugs that are known to prolong QTc including Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications, antipsychotic medications (e.g., chlorpromazine, thioridazine), antibiotics (e.g., gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin), or any other class of medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Paliperidone should also be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias. Certain circumstances may increase the risk of the occurrence of Torsades de pointes and/or sudden death in association with the use of drugs that prolong the QTc interval, including (1) bradycardia; (2) hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; (3) concomitant use of other drugs that prolong the QTc interval; and (4) presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval. The effects of oral paliperidone on the QT interval were evaluated in a double-blind, active-controlled (moxifloxacin 400 mg single dose), multicenter QT study in adults with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and in three placebo- and active-controlled 6-week, fixed-dose efficacy trials in adults with schizophrenia. In the QT study (n=141), the 8 mg dose of immediate-release oral paliperidone (n=50) showed a mean placebo-subtracted increase from baseline in QTcLD of 12.3 msec (90% CI: 8.9; 15.6) on day 8 at 1.5 hours post-dose. The mean steady-state peak plasma concentration for this 8 mg dose of paliperidone immediate release (C max ss = 113 ng/mL) was more than 2-fold the exposure observed with the maximum recommended 234 mg dose of INVEGA SUSTENNA administered in the deltoid muscle (predicted median C max ss = 50 ng/mL). In this same study, a 4 mg dose of the immediate-release oral formulation of paliperidone, for which C max ss = 35 ng/mL, showed an increased placebo-subtracted QTcLD of 6.8 msec (90% CI: 3.6; 10.1) on day 2 at 1.5 hours post-dose. In the three fixed-dose efficacy studies of oral paliperidone extended release in subjects with schizophrenia, electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements taken at various time points showed only one subject in the oral paliperidone 12 mg group had a change exceeding 60 msec at one time-point on Day 6 (increase of 62 msec). In the four fixed-dose efficacy studies of INVEGA SUSTENNA in subjects with schizophrenia and in the long-term study in subjects with schizoaffective disorder, no subject experienced a change in QTcLD exceeding 60 msec and no subject had a QTcLD value of > 500 msec at any time point. In the maintenance study in subjects with schizophrenia, no subject had a QTcLD change > 60 msec, and one subject had a QTcLD value of 507 msec (Bazett's QT corrected interval [QTcB] value of 483 msec); this latter subject also had a heart rate of 45 beats per minute. 5.5 Tardive Dyskinesia Tardive dyskinesia, a syndrome consisting of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements, may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Although the prevalence of the syndrome appears to be highest among the elderly, especially elderly women, it is impossible to predict which patients will develop the syndrome. Whether antipsychotic drug products differ in their potential to cause tardive dyskinesia is unknown. The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will become irreversible appear to increase with the duration of treatment and the cumulative dose. The syndrome can develop after relatively brief treatment periods, even at low doses. It may also occur after discontinuation of treatment. Tardive dyskinesia may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is discontinued. Antipsychotic treatment, itself, however, may suppress (or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome, possibly masking the underlying process. The effect that symptomatic suppression has upon the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown. Given these considerations, INVEGA SUSTENNA should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia. Chronic antipsychotic treatment should generally be reserved for patients: (1) who suffer from a chronic illness that is known to respond to antipsychotic drugs, and (2) for whom alternative, equally effective, but potentially less harmful treatments are not available or appropriate. In patients who do require chronic treatment, use the lowest dose and the shortest duration of treatment producing a satisfactory clinical response. Periodically reassess the need for continued treatment. If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient on INVEGA SUSTENNA, drug discontinuation should be considered. However, some patients may require treatment with INVEGA SUSTENNA despite the presence of the syndrome. 5.6 Metabolic Changes Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that may increase cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk. These metabolic changes include hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and body weight gain. While all of the drugs in the class have been shown to produce some metabolic changes, each drug has its own specific risk profile. Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, in some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma or death, have been reported in patients treated with all atypical antipsychotics. These cases were, for the most part, seen in post-marketing clinical use and epidemiologic studies, not in clinical trials. Hyperglycemia and diabetes have been reported in trial subjects treated with INVEGA SUSTENNA. Assessment of the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and glucose abnormalities is complicated by the possibility of an increased background risk of diabetes mellitus in patients with schizophrenia and the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in the general population. Given these confounders, the relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and hyperglycemia-related adverse events is not completely understood. However, epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of hyperglycemia-related adverse reactions in patients treated with the atypical antipsychotics. Patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who are started on atypical antipsychotics should be monitored regularly for worsening of glucose control. Patients with risk factors for diabetes mellitus (e.g., obesity, family history of diabetes) who are starting treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing at the beginning of treatment and periodically during treatment. Any patient treated with atypical antipsychotics should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Patients who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia during treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing. In some cases, hyperglycemia has resolved when the atypical antipsychotic was discontinued; however, some patients required continuation of anti-diabetic treatment despite discontinuation of the suspect drug. Pooled data from the four placebo-controlled (one 9-week and three 13-week), fixed-dose studies in subjects with schizophrenia are presented in Table 5. Table 5: Change in Fasting Glucose from Four Placebo-Controlled, 9- to 13-Week, Fixed-Dose Studies in Subjects with Schizophrenia INVEGA SUSTENNA Placebo 39 mg 78 mg 156 mg 234/39 mg Initial deltoid injection of 234 mg followed by either 39 mg, 156 mg, or 234 mg every 4 weeks by deltoid or gluteal injection. Other dose groups (39 mg, 78 mg, and 156 mg) are from studies involving only gluteal injection. [see Clinical Studies…

Possible side effects

labeling: Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including stroke, in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Neuroleptic malignant syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Tardive dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Metabolic changes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Orthostatic hypotension and syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Falls [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Hyperprolactinemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Potential for cognitive and motor impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Dysphagia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Disruption of body temperature regulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and occurring at least twice as often as placebo) were injection site reactions, somnolence/sedation, dizziness, akathisia, and extrapyramidal disorder. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-526-7736 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Patient Exposure The data described in this section are derived from a clinical trial database consisting of a total of 3817 subjects (approximately 1705 patient-years exposure) with schizophrenia who received at least one dose of INVEGA SUSTENNA in the recommended dose range of 39 mg to 234 mg and a total of 510 subjects with schizophrenia who received placebo. Among the 3817 INVEGA SUSTENNA-treated subjects, 1293 received INVEGA SUSTENNA in four fixed-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (one 9-week and three 13-week studies), 849 received INVEGA SUSTENNA in the maintenance trial (median exposure 229 days during the initial 33-week open-label phase of this study, of whom 205 continued to receive INVEGA SUSTENNA during the double-blind placebo-controlled phase of this study [median exposure 171 days]), and 1675 received INVEGA SUSTENNA in five non-placebo controlled trials (three noninferiority active-comparator trials, one long-term open-label pharmacokinetic and safety study, and an injection site [deltoid-gluteal] cross-over trial). One of the 13-week studies included a 234 mg INVEGA SUSTENNA initiation dose followed by treatment with either 39 mg, 156 mg, or 234 mg every 4 weeks. The safety of INVEGA SUSTENNA was also evaluated in a 15-month, long-term study comparing INVEGA SUSTENNA to selected oral antipsychotic therapies in adult subjects with schizophrenia. A total of 226 subjects received INVEGA SUSTENNA during the 15-month, open-label period of this study; 218 subjects received selected oral antipsychotic therapies. The safety of INVEGA SUSTENNA was similar to that seen in previous double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in adult subjects with schizophrenia. The safety of INVEGA SUSTENNA was also evaluated in a long-term study in adult subjects with schizoaffective disorder. A total of 667 subjects received INVEGA SUSTENNA during the initial 25-week open-label period of this study (median exposure 147 days); 164 subjects continued to receive INVEGA SUSTENNA during the 15-month double-blind placebo-controlled period of this study (median exposure 446 days). Adverse reactions that occurred more frequently in the INVEGA SUSTENNA than the placebo group (a 2% difference or more between groups) were weight increased, nasopharyngitis, headache, hyperprolactinemia, and pyrexia. Adverse Reactions in Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions: The most common (at least 5% in any INVEGA SUSTENNA group) and likely drug-related (adverse events for which the drug rate is at least twice the placebo rate) adverse reactions from the double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in subjects with schizophrenia were injection site reactions, somnolence/sedation, dizziness, akathisia, and extrapyramidal disorder . No occurrences of adverse events reached this threshold in the long-term double-blind, placebo-controlled study in subjects with schizoaffective disorder. Discontinuation of Treatment Due to Adverse Events: The percentage of subjects who discontinued due to adverse events in the four fixed-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled schizophrenia trials were similar for INVEGA SUSTENNA- and placebo-treated subjects. The percentage of subjects who discontinued due to adverse events in the open-label period of the long-term study in subjects with schizoaffective disorder was 7.5%. During the double-blind, placebo-controlled period of that study, the percentages of subjects who discontinued due to adverse events were 5.5% and 1.8% in INVEGA SUSTENNA- and placebo-treated subjects, respectively. Dose-Related Adverse Reactions: Based on the pooled data from the four fixed-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in subjects with schizophrenia, among the adverse reactions that occurred with ≥ 2% incidence in the subjects treated with INVEGA SUSTENNA, only akathisia increased with dose. Hyperprolactinemia also exhibited a dose relationship, but did not occur at ≥ 2% incidence in INVEGA SUSTENNA-treated subjects from the four fixed-dose studies. Adverse Reactions Occurring at an Incidence of 2% or More in INVEGA SUSTENNA-Treated Patients: Table 10 lists the adverse reactions reported in 2% or more of INVEGA SUSTENNA-treated subjects and at a greater proportion than in the placebo group with schizophrenia in the four fixed-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Table 10: Incidences of Adverse Reactions 2% or More of INVEGA SUSTENNA-Treated Patients (and Greater than Placebo) with Schizophrenia in Four Fixed-Dose, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials INVEGA SUSTENNA System Organ Class Placebo Placebo group is pooled from all studies and included either deltoid or gluteal injection depending on study design. 39 mg 78 mg 156 mg 234/39 mg Initial deltoid injection of 234 mg followed by either 39 mg, 156 mg, or 234 mg every 4 weeks by deltoid or gluteal injection. Other dose groups (39 mg, 78 mg, and 156 mg) are from studies involving only gluteal injection. [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] 234/156 mg 234/234 mg Adverse Reactions (N=510) (N=130) (N=302) (N=312) (N=160) (N=165) (N=163) Percentages are rounded to whole numbers. Table includes adverse reactions that were reported in 2% or more of subjects in any of the INVEGA SUSTENNA dose groups and which occurred at greater incidence than in the placebo group. Total percentage of subjects with adverse reactions 70 75 68 69 63 60 63 Gastrointestinal disorders Abdominal discomfort/abdominal pain upper 2 2 4 4 1 2 4 Diarrhea 2 0 3 2 1 2 2 Dry mouth 1 3 1 0 1 1 1 Nausea 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 Toothache 1 1 1 3 1 2 3 Vomiting 4 5 4 2 3 2 2 General disorders and administration site conditions Asthenia 0 2 1 <1 0 1 1 Fatigue 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 Injection site reactions 2 0 4 6 9 7 10 Infections and infestations Nasopharyngitis 2 0 2 2 4 2 2 Upper respiratory tract infection 2 2 2 2 1 2 4 Urinary tract infection 1 0 1 <1 1 1 2 Investigations Weight increased 1 4 4 1 1 1 2 Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Back pain 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 Musculoskeletal stiffness 1 1 <1 <1 1 1 2 Myalgia 1 2 1 <1 1 0 2 Pain in extremity 1 0 2 2 2 3 0 Nervous system disorders Akathisia 3 2 2 3 1 5 6 Dizziness 1 6 2 4 1 4 2 Extrapyramidal disorder 1 5 2 3 1 0 0 Headache 12 11 11 15 11 7 6 Somnolence/sedation 3 5 7 4 1 5 5 Psychiatric disorders Agitation 7 10 5 9 8 5 4 Anxiety 7 8 5 3 5 6 6 Nightmare <1 2 0 0 0 0 0 Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Cough 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 Vascular disorders Hypertension 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 Adverse reactions for which the INVEGA SUSTENNA incidence was equal to or less than placebo are not listed in the table, but included the following: dyspepsia, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, and tremor. The following terms were combined: somnolence/sedation, breast tenderness/breast pain, abdominal discomfort/abdominal pain upper/stomach discomfort, and tachycardia/sinus tachycardia/heart rate increased. All injection site reaction-related adverse reactions were collapsed and are grouped under "Injection site reactions". Other Adverse Reactions Observed During the Clinical Trial Evaluation of INVEGA SUSTENNA The following list does not include reactions: 1) already listed in previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, 2) for which a drug cause was remote, 3) which were so general as to be uninformative, or 4) which were not considered to have significant clinical implications. Cardiac disorders: atrioventricular block first degree, bradycardia, bundle branch block, palpitations, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, tachycardia Ear and labyrinth disorders: vertigo Eye disorders: eye movement disorder, eye rolling, oculogyric crisis, vision blurred Gastrointestinal disorders: constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, salivary hypersecretion Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity Investigations: alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, electrocardiogram abnormal Metabolism and nutrition disorders: decreased appetite, hyperinsulinemia, increased appetite Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthralgia, joint stiffness, muscle rigidity, muscle spasms, muscle tightness, muscle twitching, nuchal rigidity Nervous system disorders: bradykinesia, cerebrovascular accident, cogwheel rigidity, convulsion, dizziness postural, drooling, dysarthria, dyskinesia, dystonia, hypertonia, lethargy, oromandibular dystonia, parkinsonism, psychomotor hyperactivity, syncope Psychiatric disorders: insomnia, libido decreased, restlessness Reproductive system and breast disorders: amenorrhea, breast discharge, breast enlargement/breast swelling, breast tenderness/breast pain, ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, galactorrhea, gynecomastia, menstrual disorder, menstruation delayed, menstruation irregular, sexual dysfunction Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: nasal congestion Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: drug eruption, pruritus, pruritus generalized, rash, urticaria Demographic Differences An examination of population subgroups in the double-blind placebo-controlled trials did not reveal any evidence of differences in safety on the basis of age, gender, or race alone; however, there were few subjects 65 years of age and older. Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) Pooled data from the two double-blind, placebo-controlled, 13-week, fixed-dose trials in adult subjects with schizophrenia provided information regarding EPS. Several methods were used to measure EPS: (1) the Simpson-Angus global score which broadly evaluates parkinsonism, (2) the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale global clinical rating score which evaluates akathisia, (3) the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale scores which evaluates dyskinesia, and (4) use of anticholinergic medications to treat EPS (Table 11), and (5) incidence of spontaneous reports of EPS (Table 12). Table 11: Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) Assessed by Incidence of Rating Scales and Use of Anticholinergic Medication – Schizophrenia Studies in Adults Percentage of Subjects INVEGA SUSTENNA Scale Placebo (N=262) 39 mg (N=130) 78 mg (N=223) 156 mg (N=228) Parkinsonism For parkinsonism, percent of subjects with Simpson-Angus Total score > 0.3 at endpoint (Total score defined as total sum of items…

Storage

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING INVEGA SUSTENNA ® is available as a white to off-white sterile aqueous extended-release suspension for intramuscular injection in dose strengths of 39 mg/0.25 mL, 78 mg/0.5 mL, 117 mg/0.75 mL, 156 mg/mL, and 234 mg/1.5 mL paliperidone palmitate in single-dose prefilled syringes. The single-use kit contains a prefilled syringe and 2 safety needles (a 1 ½-inch 22 gauge safety needle and a 1-inch 23 gauge safety needle). 39 mg paliperidone palmitate kit (NDC 50458-560-01) 78 mg paliperidone palmitate kit (NDC 50458-561-01) 117 mg paliperidone palmitate kit (NDC 50458-562-01) 156 mg paliperidone palmitate kit (NDC 50458-563-01) 234 mg paliperidone palmitate kit (NDC 50458-564-01) Storage and Handling Store at room temperature (25 °C, 77 °F); excursions between 15 °C and 30 °C (between 59 °F and 86 °F) are permitted. Do not mix with any other product or diluent.

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