Does Invega Cause a Dry Mouth?
Invega® (
paliperidone) is a prescription medicine used to treat
schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Like other medicines, it can cause side effects. One of the possible side
effects of Invega is a dry mouth. In previous clinical studies, up to 3 percent of people reported dry mouth as one of Invega's side effects.
Recommendations for Invega and Dry Mouth
If you are taking Invega and dry mouth becomes a problem, there are a number of things that you can do. Some of these suggestions include:
- Sipping water or sugarless drinks often.
- Sipping water or sugarless drinks during meals. This will make chewing and swallowing easier. It may also improve the taste of food.
- Avoiding drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
- Avoiding tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth.
- Using a humidifier at night.
- Being aware that spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth.
- Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; cinnamon- or mint-flavored candies are good choices.
If you have a dry mouth while taking Invega and the suggestions above do not help, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider. There is treatment that he or she may be able to recommend, such as artificial saliva. Also, depending on how severe your Invega dry mouth side effects are, he or she may also recommend that you adjust your
Invega dosage or try a different schizophrenia medication.
