Invega Tapering Treatment Results Overview
As mentioned above, doctors typically prescribe medications such as Invega in a time of desperate need. For example, to bring a critical situation such as acute psychosis safely and immediately under control. Options can seem extremely limited at such a juncture. However, once the crisis has passed, researchers have found there can be positive effects from nonpharmacological treatments such as modified diet, and cognitive-behavioral counseling, for example, that may be options to consider rather than focusing only on long-term antipsychotic use.26,27
It is clear that the more one can learn about medication effects, the better one is equipped to deal with them. Just as important is the knowledge that drug-free treatment methods can lead to a sustainable recovery. A person can learn about these methods to provide a pathway for a bettered quality of life. In this way, one can begin to achieve very real overall improvements in one’s mental and physical health.1
More research is needed, as the effects of long-term antipsychotic use are generally under-studied. However, a long-term study was run showing that persons who had suffered a schizophrenic or schizophrenic-related disorder who had discontinued their medication after a certain period of time did better than those who were still on maintenance medication. 2
Often, a single antipsychotic drug does not provide a reduction of symptoms as well as was hoped, and second or even multiple medications may be added. Research by Barnes and Paton published in the Journal of CNS Drugs expressed concern about the very common use of polypharmacy in mental illness because the risks have not been adequately studied in clinical trials.27 A randomized controlled trial on individuals with schizophrenia published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry observed that switching from 2 down to 1 antipsychotic medication for the majority, produced no clinical worsening, and was associated with less frequent and severe adverse effects.28 Since Invega and polypharmacy treatments may not be the most efficacious choice for long-term treatment in all cases, learning about safe and gentle methods for Invega tapering may be a beneficial option to consider.
Concerns with Invega
Antipsychotic drugs are most concerning because they are noted for causing significant side effects, especially after long-term usage. Tardive dyskinesia, for example, has been observed in 16-50% of patients on antipsychotic medications, a number according to research by Loughlin et al published in the 2019 Journal of PLoS One is likely underestimated.29 Other adverse effects include elevated blood sugar levels, weight gain, high cholesterol, Parkinson’s disease or Parkinson’s-like conditions, dystonia, cogwheel rigidity (rigid limbs/muscles), and akathisias as mentioned on Invega’s label insert. Also of concern, antipsychotics may precipitate or aggravate certain heart problems such as cardiac arrest, stroke, and long QT syndrome.6 This type of drug can cause many other potential side effects that can negatively impact a person’s health and reduce their quality of life. When the initial crisis of a psychotic episode or other mental health event has passed, a person may consider Invega tapering and the use of Invega alternatives to avoid these types of risks.
Of concern, tardive dyskinesia is widely considered persistent and even permanent once it has developed. A clinical study published in JAMA studied 50 participants with TD in a 13-month trial. Nine participants had persistent TD symptoms 3 months after the drug was withdrawn. Twelve had reversible TD symptoms, 3 months after withdrawal — although the study does not say what happened to the other 29 patients. The group with persistent TD had been on antipsychotics the longest.30 Weaning off Invega and similar drugs early rather than after long-term use is a strategy that may be able to avoid such negative health risks.
Tardive dyskinesia is not a disease but a side effect of neuroleptic medications. The condition is not known to occur in any other circumstances. There are more than 50 drugs that are known to induce tardive dyskinesia, a great proportion of which are in the class of antipsychotics, such as Invega.3
How Antipsychotic Drugs Work — What is Known and Unknown?
There are many theories about how drugs like Invega work and how they affect neurology, but this study is far from complete. One factor that is thought likely is that metabolites from antipsychotic drugs can be toxic to human neurochemistry and injurious to neurons. Studies have been carried out to find out more about this possible antipsychotic effect on the brain.5
Antipsychotics can affect several types of neurotransmitters and their receptors. Regarding dopamine, for example, the drug is thought to create hypersensitive dopamine receptors along the CNS pathways while concurrently setting up a chronic dopamine blockade that is also medication-induced. This can cause a cascade of other responses including oxidative stress and cell death.31
Because of these drug-induced neurochemical manipulations, a person’s moods and other important body and organ functions are also affected by the drug. These should also be monitored during Invega weaning and titration. Certain genetic factors may affect how well or how poorly the body itself is equipped to repair and protect itself from these drug-induced effects.32 More careful study is needed on this topic as the problem of reversing persisting antipsychotic drug side effects has not yet been satisfactorily understood or resolved in the medical-scientific community. As harsh as it may sound to some, patients are still being asked to play the role of guinea pig for the drug industry.4
Alternative to Meds Center Offers Healthy and Safe Invega Tapering
Perhaps the initial mental health emergency that you or a loved one has suffered has passed and your attention has now turned to the next steps that may help to achieve bettered mental and physical health, and learn the most proven steps for how to prevent relapse, as well as how to improve the quality of life with reduced or eliminated reliance on prescription drugs.
Some persons may be better candidates than others for antipsychotic weaning. We are happy to help you assess your goals in treatment and advise you or your loved one on what options may be the best ones to consider.
Please contact us for more information about our educational steps within the program for self-care and neurochemistry support. Alternative to Meds Center has developed a nurturing inpatient Invega tapering program for We know many are looking for ways to safely reduce or even discontinue neuroleptic medications and to improve mental health naturally. These are the people we offer our expertise to for Invega tapering programs, providing another option besides relying on prescription drugs for a lifetime.
