Is Invega Activating?

[DA K10]

Hi All,

 

I know that there isn't much of a difference between Invega and Risperdal, but I get pretty groggy from Risperdal.  Is there a chance that Invega would be less sedating?  Also, I'm on Wellbutrin, which I believe interferes with the metabolization of Risperdal, but not so much with Invega.  Might that help?  All in all, I like Risperdal pretty well, but if taken at night it makes me wake early and if taken in the AM it seems to leave me fuzzy and dazed for about four hours.

 

 

[jt07]

I don't know. The opposite was true for me. I found Risperdal to be envigorating, but Invega to be neutral. How long have you been on the Risperdal? The side effect of waking up early went away for me after a few weeks (unfortunately).

[hagar]

I've never been on Risperdal, but I've been on Invega for years. I found it mildly sedating for a while when I first started it, but that went away. I take it at night and don't have a problem with waking up early or being groggy the next day, but that's just me. I think one of the "perks" of Invega compared to Risperdal is that Invega is extended-release, so maybe it won't have as dramatic an effect on your sleep as Risperdal? Just a thought. 

[netsavy006]

I use to take Invega.  I took 6mg once a day at bedtime.  I found it to be sedating.

[CeremonyNewOrder]

Invega was sedating at the beginning but that went away. I now take it during the day without a problem.

[DA K10]

Well, it's been three days and I'm not sedated while taking an AM dose.  That said, how did Invega suit your depression?  I have been marginally better (6mg), but it's getting really painful and I'm worried that it won't cut it for depression.  It's more of a desperate, anxious depression rather than explicit sadness.

[hagar]

Didn't do much or anything for my depression, unfortunately. I was depressed for almost a year on Invega before I was put on amitriptyline and it finally (mostly) lifted. I was on 12mg at the time. Invega alleviated my psychotic symptoms and stopped the full-blown manias, but it wasn't until I was put on lithium that the hypo cycle ended. All in all, it's been a helpful med for me but couldn't handle everything on its own. YMMV, and I hope it works for yours. 

[jt07]

A cocktail that I took that included Risperdal was very helpful for my depression. However, when Risperdal was switched out for Invega, I did not get the same benefit. It's important to keep in mind that Invega is not an antidepressant.

[CeremonyNewOrder]

Yeah Invega is more for psychosis and mania. However I felt it helped with my anxiety and calmed me down. Also some find a combination of an antidepressant and an AAP helps them.