Paliperidone: Uses, Side Effects, and How to Take It
Paliperidone is a prescription antipsychotic medicine used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Certain forms are also used for manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder, depending on the formulation and country.
Paliperidone is available as a daily tablet and as a long-acting injection given every 3 or 4 weeks. Take it exactly as prescribed, and consult your doctor or pharmacist before changing the dose or stopping treatment.
This medication carries a boxed (black box) warning — the strongest type of FDA warning. Review the full prescribing information before use.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- N05AX13
- RxNorm
- 679314
- Generic
- Paliperidone
- Class
- atc-n05
- Brands
- Erzofri, Invega
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- prefilled syringe, tablet
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 3mg to 12mg once daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 3mg to 9mg once daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 3mg to 6mg once daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
8 groupspregnancy
first trimesteravoid if possible
use only if benefits outweigh risks; consider discontinuing before planned pregnancy if possible
regular fetal monitoring, ultrasound assessments
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
third trimesteravoid if possible
use only if benefits outweigh risks; monitor for neonatal extrapyramidal symptoms
fetal monitoring, assessment for neonatal withdrawal
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
adolescents 12 17lower starting dose recommended
approved for schizophrenia in adolescents 12-17 years; not recommended for children under 12
regular weight, metabolic, and prolactin monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
geriatric
elderlyreduce dose, start low
use with caution in elderly with dementia-related psychosis; increased mortality risk
regular cognitive assessment, orthostatic blood pressure monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
mild moderatereduce dose to 3mg daily
dose reduction required; monitor renal function regularly
regular renal function monitoring, adjust dose based on creatinine clearance
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
severenot recommended
avoid use in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl less than 30 mL/min)
not applicable
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
hepatic_impairment
mild moderateno dose adjustment required
can be used without dose adjustment in mild-moderate hepatic impairment
standard monitoring
lactation
breastfeedingdiscontinue breastfeeding
paliperidone is excreted in breast milk; breastfeeding not recommended during treatment
not applicable
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
Statistics and clinical data
Commonly prescribed since
General prescribing information
Drug class
Drug class information
Common uses
Common therapeutic uses
Mechanism of action
Pharmacological mechanism
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy