Invega Hafyera side effects and how to manage them

More common side effects of Invega Hafyera

Invega Hafyera can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Invega Hafyera in clinical trials:

• upper respiratory infection
• injection site reactions, such as skin color changes, pain, or swelling
• weight gain
• headache
• parkinsonism (involuntary movements that typically affect the whole body)

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects of Invega Hafyera

Mild side effects can occur with Invega Hafyera use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Invega Hafyera’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Invega Hafyera include:

• mild infection, such as upper respiratory infection or urinary tract infection (UTI)
• injection site reactions, such as skin color changes, pain, or swelling
• weight gain
• headache
• back pain
• diarrhea
• musculoskeletal pain
• sleepiness or insomnia

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Invega Hafyera and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Serious side effects of Invega Hafyera

Invega Hafyera may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Invega Hafyera’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Invega Hafyera, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• changes in mental health, including anxiety, hallucinations, and psychosis, which may include symptoms such as:
  • seeing something that is not real
  • irritability
  • difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• QT prolongation, which may include symptoms such as:
  • fainting
  • heart palpitations
  • shortness of breath
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which may include symptoms such as:
  • changes in heart rate or blood pressure
  • excessive sweating
  • fever
• orthostatic hypotension, which may include symptoms such as:
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness
  • fainting or falling
• high prolactin levels, which may include symptoms such as:
  • erectile dysfunction
  • gynecomastia (enlarged breasts)
  • irregular periods
  • galactorrhea (nipple discharge)
• difficulty swallowing, which may include symptoms such as:
  • feeling as though food is stuck in the throat or chest
  • drooling
  • choking, gagging, or coughing when swallowing
• priapism, which may include symptoms such as:
  • prolonged erection
  • penile pain that worsens over time
• difficulty managing body temperature, which may include symptoms such as:
  • dehydration
  • headache
  • decreased sweating
• low white blood cell level
• difficulty with thinking or movement, which may affect the ability to drive
• changes in metabolism, which can lead to high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and weight gain
• extrapyramidal symptoms, including parkinsonism (involuntary movements that typically affect the whole body), akathisia (restlessness or an urgency to move), and tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements that typically affect the face)
• increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis (see “Boxed warning for Invega Hafyera”)

Allergic reaction

For some people, Invega Hafyera can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Invega Hafyera, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Boxed warning for Invega Hafyera

Invega Hafyera has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis

Invega Hafyera has a boxed warning about the increased risk of death in adults ages 65 years and older who have dementia-related psychosis. (Dementia is a condition that causes problems with memory, thinking, and communication. Psychosis is a mental health condition that may cause a loss of touch with reality.)

Antipsychotic drugs are thought to increase this risk. (Invega Hafyera is an antipsychotic drug.) However, this risk was not specifically reported in studies of Invega Hafyera.

Antipsychotic drugs may also increase the risk of stroke in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. In some cases, a stroke can be fatal. Symptoms of a stroke may include dizziness, confusion, and weakness on one side of your face or body.

What you can do

If you experience symptoms of a stroke after using Invega Hafyera, call 911 or a local emergency number right away.

For older adults with dementia-related psychosis, doctors will typically recommend different treatments than Invega Hafyera.

Managing side effects

While taking Invega Hafyera, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions were common side effects reported in studies of Invega Hafyera. Examples of injection site reactions include changes in skin color, pain, or swelling.

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

• taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications
• applying a cold compress

Headache

Headache was a common side effect reported in studies of Invega Hafyera. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

• taking OTC pain medications
• avoiding stress or trying healthy coping strategies for unavoidable stress
• getting plenty of sleep
• eating meals regularly

Precautions for Invega Hafyera

Invega Hafyera has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Boxed warning for Invega Hafyera” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Invega Hafyera, discuss your health history with your doctor. Invega Hafyera may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia
• blood pressure or heart problems
• high blood sugar or diabetes
• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• seizures
• liver or kidney problems
• stroke or cerebrovascular disease
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.