Modified Release Aqueous Suspension for Intramuscular Injection
Paliperidone palmitate
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions about Invega Trinza. It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any concerns about using Invega Trinza, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information.
Keep this information handy.
You can refer to it later if you have any questions.
What Invega Trinza is used for
Invega Trinza belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotic agents which improve the symptoms of certain type of mental illness.
It is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental illness with disturbances in thinking, feelings and behaviour. Invega Trinza helps to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain associated with this condition. It can also be used to lessen the chance of your schizophrenia symptoms from coming back.
Some of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia may include:
Seeing, hearing, or sensing things that are not there (hallucinations)
a false belief or wrong judgment, sometimes associated with hallucinations, held with conviction despite evidence to the contrary (delusions)
Not trusting others and feeling very suspicious (paranoia)
Avoiding family and friends and wanting to be alone
It may take some time before your symptoms of schizophrenia start to improve. Remember that Invega Trinza is one part of your overall treatment plan. It is important to keep all your appointments so you can get your treatments on time and your doctor can check your progress.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe this medicine for another use.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed to you.
Before you take it
When you must not use it
Do not use Invega Trinza if you know you are allergic to any of its ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet or medicines containing paliperidone (e.g. Invega) or risperidone (e.g. Risperdal).
Signs of allergy may include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath, and/or swollen face or tongue.
Do not use it after the expiry date printed on the pack.
If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not use it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of being tampered with.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says it is safe to do so.
Before you start to use it
Invega Trinza should be used with caution in some people, particularly those who have been diagnosed with more than one medical condition.
1. Before you start using Invega Trinza, make sure you tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (a serious reaction to some medicines that causes a sudden increase in body temperature, very fast heartbeat, extremely high or low blood pressure and severe muscle stiffness or fits)
Tardive dyskinesia (a reaction to some medicines with involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaws, arms, legs or trunk)
Irregular heart rhythm, low or high blood pressure or you've had a heart attack or stroke in the past
you are prone to dizziness when standing up from a lying or sitting position
unusual, excessive sweating or diarrhoea, dehydration or problems with your body temperature regulation
epilepsy, fits, seizures, involuntary movements or unusual restlessness
suicidal thoughts or past suicide attempts
inflammation of the lungs due to aspiration (the inhalation of food particles or fluids into the lungs).
any problems with swallowing, or stomach or intestinal disorders that reduces your ability to keep food down and/or pass normal bowel movements
kidney or liver problems
dementia or Lewy Body dementia
Older people suffering dementia may be at increased risk of stroke or death with Invega Trinza
any problems with confusion or unsteadiness
Parkinson's disease (a progressive movement and thinking disorder that tends to affect older people)
heart beat irregularities
sugar diabetes
If you already have diabetes, have risk factors (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes) or possible signs of diabetes (unusual thirst, tiredness, blurred vision, upset stomach or need to urinate), blood sugar testing should be done at the beginning and during the treatment. The complications of diabetes can be serious and even life-threatening.
diseases of the blood vessels of the brain, including stroke
continuous and/or painful erections (called 'priapism')
blood clots
Tell your doctor if you or someone else in your family has a history of blood clots. Blood clots in the lungs and legs can occur when using Invega Trinza. Blood clots in the lungs can result in death
low white blood cell count
If you have low numbers of some white blood cells, your risk of contracting an infection or developing a fever is increased with Invega Trinza
you have any eye surgery planned.
Your doctor will need to assess whether you are at increased risk of a surgical complication (called 'Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome'. You may be recommended to stop using Invega Trinza temporarily leading up to your eye surgery.
you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
Your doctor will advise you whether or not you should use Invega Trinza. Newborn babies of mothers taking Invega Trinza in their last trimester may be at risk of having difficulty feeding or breathing, shaking, muscle stiffness and/or weakness, sleepiness or agitation.
you are breast feeding.
As Invega Trinza is excreted in breast milk, it is recommended that you do not breast-feed while you use Invega Trinza.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking:
sleeping tablets, tranquillisers, pain-killers or allergy medicines called antihistamines
medicines to treat epilepsy or Parkinson's Disease
medicines to treat depression, panic disorder, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
any medicines to treat irregular heart rhythms or heart failure
any medicines to treat high blood pressure including water tablets (diuretics)
other medicines to treat mental illness or psychotic conditions
medicines that increase the activity of the central nervous system (psychostimulants such as methylphenidate)
medicines to relieve nausea or vomiting, indigestion, reflux or other stomach problems
some medicines to treat malaria
Your doctor will need to consider whether any of the above medicines will affect your Invega Trinza.
How is it given
Using it for the first time
Treatment with Invega Trinza will not be started by your doctor until they know you have tolerated Invega Sustenna for at least 4 months.
At the start of treatment you may have a fall in blood pressure making you feel dizzy on standing up, or your heart may beat faster. These should go away after a few days.
Tell your doctor if these symptoms continue or worry you.
How much of it will be given
Your doctor will decide the strength of Invega Trinza suitable for you.
How is it given
Invega Trinza will be given to you by injection by a healthcare professional. It is a medicine designed to gradually release the active ingredient into your body so that you do not have to take this medicine every day.
Invega Trinza is a longer acting product where you will get a dose only once every 3 months.
Your doctor or healthcare provider will give you the injection into the upper arm or buttocks. You may feel some pain or discomfort, but this may become less over time.
How often it is given
After you have been given the first dose, it is recommended that Invega Trinza is given once every 3 months. However, your doctor may change the dose depending on how your body respond to the medicine.
How many injections you will need
Invega Trinza helps control your condition, but will not cure it. Therefore, you will need regular injections. Do not miss any injections, even if you feel better.
What if you miss a dose
It is very important to keep all your appointments and get your medicine on time.
Contact your doctor as soon as you can if you think you are going to miss or have missed your appointment.
Your doctor will decide what you should do next.
For patients with kidney problems
Invega Trinza has not been studied in patients whose kidney is not functioning properly. Your doctor will decide the dose suitable for you.
For patients with mild kidney problems, the maximum recommended dose is 350 mg.
Use of Invega Trinza is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe kidney problems.
Invega Trinza is not recommended for children under 18 years.
Overdose
As Invega Trinza is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much.
However, if you experience any side effects after receiving Invega Trinza, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are using it
Things you must do
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not miss an injection or stop the treatment without consulting your doctor first.
Your doctor will be happy to discuss any questions you may have with your treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any involuntary movements of the tongue, mouth, cheeks or jaw which may progress to the arms and legs.
These may be symptoms of a condition called tardive dyskinesia, which can develop in people taking antipsychotic medicines, including Invega Trinza. This condition is more likely to occur during longer term treatment and in older women. In very rare cases, these symptoms may be permanent. However, if detected early, these symptoms are usually reversible.
If you are planning to have operation on your eye, make sure you tell your eye doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who want to start you on any new medicines listed under 'Taking other medicines' (above) that you are taking Invega Trinza.
Your doctor, dentist or pharmacist will need to consider whether any new medicines will affect your Invega Trinza.
Things you must not do
Do not miss any injections or any appointments with the doctor.
Do not drink alcohol.
Invega Trinza can increase the effects of alcohol.
Things to be careful of
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines.
Invega Trinza can increase the effects of medicines which you're your reactions. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines including herbal treatments and medicines that can be bought in a pharmacy or supermarket.
Avoid driving or operating machinery until you are sure that Invega Trinza does not affect your alertness.
Invega Trinza may cause dizziness, drowsiness or light-headedness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Invega Trinza before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.
If the medicine makes you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
Getting up slowly may help.
Avoid excessive eating.
There is a possibility of weight gain when taking Invega. Your doctor may monitor your body weight or recommend strategies to assist with weight management.
Side Effects
All medicines may have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time they are not. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
All medicines can have side effects. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Invega Trinza.
It helps most people with symptoms of schizophrenia, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
difficulty thinking, working or carrying out your usual daily activities because of:
headache
trembling, muscle weaknesses, unsteadiness on your feet, lack of coordination or slow, shuffling walk
difficulty falling or staying asleep, drowsiness, tiredness, difficulty in concentrating
pain at injection site
behavioural changes such as:
irritability or agitation
unusual anxiety or depression
lack of emotion
unusually elevated mood
movement changes such as:
muscle or joint stiffness or pain, bone or muscle ache
unusual restlessness, repetitive or involuntary movements
unusual facial movements with sustained upwards stare
other changes such as:
unexplained increase in appetite or weight gain
common cold or "flu-like" symptoms
urinary tract infection
eye rolling
toothache
dry mouth, distorted taste sensation, drooling
acne
dry skin
hardening of the skin
nosebleeds
inability to or pain when passing urine
vomiting, indigestion, nausea, abdominal pain
diarrhoea
constipation
unusual secretion of breast milk
breast swelling
missed or irregular menstrual periods
difficulty getting or maintaining an erection; or having continuous and/or painful erection
These are mild side effects of Invega Trinza but may require medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
heart or blood pressure problems such as:
fall in blood pressure, blurry vision, light-headedness or dizziness particularly on standing despite sitting or lying down
very fast heart rate, slowed heart rate, heart rhythm irregularities
signs of high blood sugar or diabetes such as:
being thirsty all the time, having to urinate or "pass urine" more often than usual, or feeling weak or hungry.
body temperature changes such as:
fever
unexplained high body temperature, excessive sweating or rapid breathing
involuntary movement of the tongue, mouth, cheeks or jaw
These may be serious side effects of Invega Trinza. You may need urgent medical attention.
Serious side effects are uncommon.
If any of the following happen, stop any further Invega Trinza and tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
rash, itching or hives on the skin; shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to Invega Trinza.
sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side, or instances of slurred speech (these are called mini-strokes)
involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaw, arms, legs or trunk (symptoms of tardive dyskinesia) .
These may be very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
Do not hesitate to report any other side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
After using it
Storage
Invega Trinza will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Your doctor or pharmacist will not use it beyond the expiry date (month and year) printed on the pack.
Medicines cannot be stored indefinitely, even if stored properly.
Product Description
What it looks like
Invega Trinza is available in prefilled syringes which contain different amounts of paliperidone (as palmitate). The pack also contains safety needles.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Invega Trinza is paliperidone (as palmitate).
The prefilled syringes contain either 175 mg, 263 mg, 350 mg and 525 mg paliperidone (as 273 mg, 410 mg, 546 mg and 819 mg paliperidone palmitate, respectively).
Inactive ingredients are citric acid monohydrate, macrogol 4000, polysorbate 20, sodium phosphate - monobasic, sodium hydroxide, water for injections.
