From the Research
Invega (paliperidone) is the preferred choice over Risperdal (risperidone) for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder due to its efficacy and safety profile, as demonstrated in recent studies 1.
Key Differences Between Risperdal and Invega
- Invega is the active metabolite of Risperdal, meaning it bypasses liver metabolism and may cause fewer side effects for some patients.
- Risperdal is typically dosed 1-6 mg daily, while Invega ranges from 3-12 mg daily.
- Invega's extended-release formulations allow for less frequent dosing, which may improve adherence.
Efficacy and Safety
- Paliperidone has demonstrated efficacy in reducing acute schizophrenia symptoms and maintaining clinical benefits in long-term treatments 2.
- Invega has a predictable adverse event profile, with the most common treatment-emergent adverse events being headache, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, akathisia, dyspepsia, hypertonia, somnolence, and sedation 3.
- Risperdal has also been shown to be effective in treating schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, but its safety profile is similar to that of Invega, with the addition of potential hyperprolactinemia and mild parkinsonism 4, 5.
Treatment Recommendations
- The choice between Risperdal and Invega should be made with a healthcare provider based on the patient's specific condition, side effect profile, insurance coverage, and dosing preferences.
- Paliperidone is the only drug with authorized use in schizoaffective disorder, and it has the highest quality of studies to support its use 1.
- Risperdal, olanzapine, aripipiazole, and ziprasidone also have randomized clinical trials supporting their efficacy and safety in treating schizoaffective disorder.