Key takeaways
Invega (paliperidone) and Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) are both atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia, but they have some key differences. Invega is available in both oral and injectable forms, while Aristada is only available as an injection. Invega can be taken daily as an extended-release pill or injected every 1-6 month depending on the formulation, whereas Aristada is a long-acting injection given every 1 to 2 months. Invega is also approved for schizoaffective disorder, while Aristada is not. Aristada requires you to first tolerate Abilify (aripiprazole) oral tablets before starting the injection, while longer-acting Invega has a similar requirement that patients need to tolerate shorter-acting formulations for a 3-4 months depending on the formulation. Common side effects of Invega include drowsiness and uncontrolled muscle movements, while Aristada can cause restlessness and injection site pain. Both medications can lead to weight gain and high blood sugar, but Aristada is noted for having fewer side effects compared to some other antipsychotics.
