Indications
- Medication: Paliperidone.
- Indicated for: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder.
- Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics.
- Mechanism of action: Helps restore the balance of natural substances in the brain.
- Used to treat certain mental/mood disorders by addressing imbalances in brain chemistry.
Dosage and administration
- Take medication orally, with or without food, as directed by the doctor, usually once daily.
- Swallow tablets whole with liquid; do not crush or chew to avoid rapid drug release and increased side effect risk.
- The dosage depends on age, medical condition, and treatment response.
- Take regularly at the same time daily to maximize benefits.
- Continue taking even if feeling well; do not stop without consulting the doctor.
- Inform the doctor if the condition persists or worsens.
Side effects
- Common side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, drooling, abdominal pain, weight gain, or tiredness.
- Inform the doctor if these effects persist or worsen.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness may increase the risk of falling; rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.
- Empty tablet shells in stool are harmless as the medication is already absorbed.
- Prescribed based on the doctor’s judgment of benefits outweighing risks.
- Serious side effects may include difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, tremors, restlessness, and interrupted breathing during sleep.
- Monitor for high blood sugar symptoms; notify the doctor if you have diabetes or experience increased thirst/urination.
- Significant weight gain and increased blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels may raise the risk of heart disease; discuss with the doctor.
- Rarely, may cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition with unusual/uncontrolled movements; notify the doctor immediately.
- Prolactin increase may lead to unwanted effects in females (breast milk, menstrual changes) and males (sexual issues, breast enlargement), report to the doctor.
- Seek immediate medical help for severe symptoms such as severe dizziness, fainting, and seizures.
- Rarely, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may occur; get medical help for symptoms like fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion.
- Males may experience a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 hours or more; and seek immediate medical help.
- Very serious allergic reactions are rare; seek medical help for symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.
- Not a complete list; contact the doctor or pharmacist for any other observed side effects.
Precautions
- Inform the doctor or pharmacist of any allergies to paliperidone, risperidone, or other substances.
- Discuss medical history, especially liver or kidney disease, seizures, low white blood cell count, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, digestive tract disorders, eye problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and sleep apnea.
- Paliperidone may cause QT prolongation, a heart rhythm condition; inform the doctor about heart problems, family history, and medications taken.
- Low potassium/magnesium levels, certain drugs, or conditions may increase QT prolongation risk; discuss with the doctor.
- The drug can cause dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcohol, marijuana, and activities requiring alertness until sure it’s safe.
- Inform healthcare providers before surgery, including eye surgery; disclose all medications and products used.
- Decreased sweating may increase the risk of heat stroke; avoid overheating, especially in hot weather.
- Older adults may be more sensitive to side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and QT prolongation.
- During pregnancy, use only if necessary; inform the doctor. Babies born to mothers using the drug may develop symptoms; and seek medical attention.
- Untreated mental/mood problems can be serious; do not stop medication without a doctor’s guidance.
- Discuss pregnancy plans and the risks/benefits of medication with the doctor.
- Medication passes into breast milk; inform the doctor if the baby shows undesirable effects; consult before breastfeeding.