First Seasonal Schizophrenia Treatment Now Available

The first 3-month treatment for schizophrenia is now commercially available in the United States.

Janssen’s paliperidone palmitate (Invega Trinza) is the only FDA-approved schizophrenia treatment administered in adults just 4 times a year—the longest dosing interval available for the brain disorder.

“With the sustained symptom control offered by Invega Trinza, my patients and I can focus conversations on more than medication,” stated clinical trial investigator Joseph Kwentus, MD, of Precise Research Centers.

Tarry Wolfe, DNP, FNP-c, PMHNP-BC, of Community Bridges, Inc, added, “The medical community needs a broad range of treatments to help individuals living with schizophrenia, and Invega Trinza is now another medication option.”

Prior to starting this seasonal atypical antipsychotic, patients must adequately respond to Janssen’s 1-month Invega Sustenna formulation for at least 4 months.

Common side effects seen in those treated with Invega Trinza include injection site reactions, weight gain, headache, and tremors, while series side effects include potentially deadly cardiovascular issues in elderly patients, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and heartbeat problems.