Guest Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Hi everyone Hope this finds you well and glad to join the forum I have been reading on the forum and other resources on how to taper safely the antipsychotic called Invega. This forum has been very helpful and also content on YouTube and research paper from Dr. Mark Horowitz has been also helpful. My dose on Invega was 6 mg, and I tapered to 3 mg and has been going good for 3 days now. I have some withdrawal symptoms like mild dizziness but it is tolerable so far. I know this is a big reduction but I intend to hold this dosage for 1 month to see how I'm adapting and give enough time for the brain and dopamine receptors and my body to heal and recover. I was looking for advice regarding the tapering of Invega. Am I on the right track or should I do something different? Please note that I wish I could do micro-dosing or lesser reductions, but where I live, Invega is only available in 3 mg and 6 mg (I'm actually splitting the 6 mg cause I couldn't find 3 mg in the pharmacy and I know this is not the best way, but I'm glad I found some 3 mg today). There is also no compounding pharmacies or tapering strips or liquid form of Invega here, and the pill is extended release and I guess it cannot be crushed. I hope I can find help here regarding the tapering of Invega, and I'm willing to take it slow and give enough time for my brain and body to heal and to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I would also appreciate if there's advice regarding what diet, supplements or holistic interventions could be helpful to cope with the withdrawal symptoms if they arise, and to heal and recover. Thanks in advance for your help and have a great day Link to comment
Moderator FireflyFyte Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Share Posted October 2, 2023 Hello NDure, Welcome to SA. Please summarize your drug history in your signature by following these directions (you may need to be on a computer to complete) - How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature For tips on tapering off from Invega, please reference Tips for tapering off Invega (paliperidone) Cutting an extended release dose converts it to immediate dose so you may need to start dosing twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart to avoid inter-dose withdrawal. Holding for now is a good idea as withdrawal symptoms can be delayed and you might not be feeling the full impact of a 50% drop and also switching from extended to immediate dosing. When you are stable, we recommend dropping no more than 10% per month which you can read more about at Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Thanks, Firefly 1 Pre- October 2022: Wellbutrin, Escitalopram, Citalopram, Sertraline, Adderall IR, Vyvanse, Propranolol, Buspar, Ativan, and Latuda Oct 13, 2022 - Oct 24, 2022 and Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Zyprexa (2.5 mg). Jan 14, 2023 -> Began transition to liquid suspension. Jan 29, 2023 = 2.375mg -> Feb 12, 2023 = 2.25mg -> Feb 27, 2023 = 2.14mg -> Mar 12, 2023 = 2.025mg -> Mar 27, 2023 = 1.93mg -> Apr 10, 2023 = 1.82mg -> Apr 23, 2023 = 1.74mg -> May 7, 2023 = 1.64mg -> May 21, 2023 = 1.56mg -> June 4, 2023 = 1.48mg -> June 19, 2023 = 1.4mg -> July 2, 2023 = 1.33mg -> July 16, 2023 = 1.26mg -> July 31, 2023 = 1.2mg -> Aug 13, 2023 = 1.14mg -> Aug 27, 2023 = 1.08mg -> Sep 13, 2023 = 1.02mg -> Jan 22, 2024 = 0.97mg -> Feb 4, 2024 = 0.92mg -> Feb 19, 2024 = 0.87mg -> Mar 3, 2024 = 0.83mg -> Mar 17, 2024 = 0.78mg -> Mar 31, 2024 = 0.74mg -> Apr 14, 2024 = 0.7mg -> Apr 28, 2024 = 0.66mg -> May 12, 2024 = 0.63mg -> May 27, 2024 = 0.6mg -> June 9, 2024 = 0.57mg -> June 24, 2024 = 0.54mg -> July 6, 2024 = 0.51mg -> July 21, 2024 = 0.48mg -> Aug 6, 2024 = 0.455mg -> Aug 20, 2024 = 0.43mg -> Sep 3, 2024 = 0.41mg -> Sep 17, 2024 = 0.39mg -> Oct 1, 2024 = 0.37mg -> Oct 16, 2024 = 0.35mg -> Oct 29, 2024 = 0.33mg Oct 14, 2022 - Present: Prozac (40mg) upped from 20mg on Nov 1, 2022. Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Gabapentin (300mg 3x day) -> May 3, 2023 = 300mg 2x day -> Oct 1, 2023 = 570mg -> Oct 15, 2023 = 540mg -> Oct 29, 2023 = 510mg -> Nov 13, 2023 = 484mg -> Nov 27, 2023 = 460mg -> Dec 9, 2023 = 436mg -> Dec 24, 2023 = 414mg -> Jan 7, 2024 = 400mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus hayduke Posted January 26 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 26 Hello @NDure Since risperidone is very similar to paliperidone, but does not have the issue of extended release tablets making smooth tapering difficult, have you considered getting a prescription for some of that instead? I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 - Sep 2024 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots tail to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now