Saying ‘I Can’ to Making a Difference With Schizophrenia

2018-08-03T07:01:01

(BPT) – Tanara never thought she’d be where she is today. Leading up to and following her diagnosis with schizophrenia, she often felt alone — her symptoms led her to isolate herself from her friends, family, and community. Now, 7 years later, Tanara is proud of the close relationships she’s developed and is thriving as a peer support specialist who helps others living with the disorder.

“It took me time to open up about what I was feeling, but once I put all of my cards on the table, I finally felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel,” Tanara says. “Today, not only am I on my own journey with schizophrenia, but I am also helping other people set goals and achieve them. I feel like I am doing what I was destined to do.”

Tanara is helping others as a volunteer with the SHARE Network, a Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., program made up of people who are dedicated to inspiring others through their personal health journeys and stories of caring. She was paid an honorarium by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Affecting approximately 2.4 million adults in the United States, schizophrenia is a complex and chronic brain disorder that can impact all aspects of a person’s daily life. Symptoms of schizophrenia usually emerge early in young adulthood, which often coincides with major milestones, such as living independently, continuing education, starting a job, and maintaining and developing relationships.

Recovery is different for everyone, and it is an ongoing process. By following their schizophrenia treatment plan and taking medication as prescribed, people living with the disorder can have the best chance to control their symptoms and begin working toward their treatment goals.

Tanara continues to work toward her treatment goals with her psychiatrist. Her treatment plan includes a long-acting medication for schizophrenia, INVEGA TRINZA^® (3-month paliperidone palmitate). INVEGA TRINZA^® is a prescription medicine given by injection every 3 months by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults. INVEGA TRINZA^® is used in people who have been adequately treated with INVEGA SUSTENNA^® (1-month paliperidone palmitate) for at least 4 months.

In a long-term study, 93% of patients treated with INVEGA TRINZA^® did not experience a significant return of schizophrenia symptoms vs those not treated. The most common side effects of INVEGA TRINZA^® include injection site reactions, weight gain, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, feeling restlessness or difficulty sitting still, slow movements, tremors, stiffness and shuffling walk.

With her treatment plan and help from her psychiatrist and support system, Tanara has been pursuing her goal of inspiring others. She was recently recognized with an award from her local mental health services organization, for her accomplishments. In addition, being able to support others with similar experiences has provided her with a rewarding opportunity to share her perspectives.

“I’ve learned so much and want to share that knowledge with others. And I’ve learned how important it is to work with my doctor so I can keep on track with my treatment goals,” Tanara reflects. “My message to others is to stay positive and be open with your treatment team so you can find out what will work for you.”

Click here to watch Tanara’s full story and to get to know more people living with schizophrenia.

INDICATION

INVEGA TRINZA^® (3-month paliperidone palmitate) is a prescription medicine given by injection every 3 months by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia. INVEGA TRINZA^® is used in people who have been adequately treated with INVEGA SUSTENNA^® (1-month paliperidone palmitate) for at least 4 months.

INVEGA SUSTENNA^® (In-VEY-guh Suss-TEN-uh) (paliperidone palmitate) is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional. INVEGA SUSTENNA^® is used to treat schizophrenia in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not receive INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® if you are allergic to paliperidone,
paliperidone palmitate, risperidone, or any of the ingredients in INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^®. See the end of the Patient Information leaflet in the full Prescribing Information for a complete list of INVEGA TRINZA^® and INVEGA SUSTENNA^® ingredients.

Before you receive INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have had Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
• have or have had heart problems, including a heart attack, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm, or long QT syndrome
• have or have had low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
• have or have had uncontrolled movements of your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (tardive dyskinesia)
• have or have had kidney or liver problems
• have diabetes or have a family history of diabetes
• have had a low white blood cell count
• have had problems with dizziness or fainting or are being treated for high blood pressure
• have or have had seizures or epilepsy
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® will harm your unborn baby
  • If you become pregnant while taking INVEGA TRINZA^®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry
  • Infants born to women who are treated with INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® may have withdrawal symptoms or other symptoms such as tremors, muscle spasms, abnormal movement of arms and legs, and twitching of eyes.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. INVEGA TRINZA^® and INVEGA SUSTENNA^® can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will receive INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Patients (particularly the elderly) taking antipsychotics with certain health conditions or those on long-term therapy should be evaluated by their healthcare provider for the potential risk of falls.

What should I avoid while receiving INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^®?

• INVEGA TRINZA^® and INVEGA SUSTENNA^® may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® affects you
• avoid getting overheated or dehydrated

INVEGA TRINZA^® and INVEGA SUSTENNA^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about INVEGA TRINZA^® or
  INVEGA SUSTENNA^®?”
• stroke in elderly people (cerebrovascular problems) that can lead to death
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). NMS is a rare but very serious problem that can happen in people who receive INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^®. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become severely ill and have any of these symptoms: high fever; severe muscle stiffness; confusion; loss of consciousness; changes in your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure
• problems with your heartbeat. These heart problems can cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: passing out or feeling like you will pass out, dizziness, or feeling as if your heart is pounding or missing beats
• uncontrolled movements of your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (tardive dyskinesia)
• metabolic changes. Metabolic changes may include high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), diabetes mellitus and changes in the fat levels in your blood (dyslipidemia), and weight gain
• low blood pressure and fainting
• changes in your blood cell counts
• high level of prolactin in your blood (hyperprolactinemia). INVEGA TRINZA^® and
  INVEGA SUSTENNA^® may cause a rise in the blood levels of a hormone called prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) that may cause side effects including missed menstrual periods, leakage of milk from the breasts, development of breasts in men, or problems with erection
• problems thinking clearly and moving your body
• seizures
• difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into your lungs
• prolonged or painful erection lasting more than 4 hours. Call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest emergency room right away if you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours
• problems with control of your body temperature, especially when you exercise a lot or spend time doing things that make you warm. It is important for you to drink water to avoid dehydration

The most common side effects of INVEGA TRINZA^® include: injection site reactions, weight gain, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, feeling restlessness or difficulty sitting still, slow movements, tremors, stiffness and shuffling walk.

The most common side effects of INVEGA SUSTENNA^® include: injection site reactions; sleepiness or drowsiness; dizziness; feeling of inner restlessness or needing to be constantly moving; abnormal muscle movements, including tremor (shaking), shuffling, uncontrolled involuntary movements, and abnormal movements of your eyes.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^®. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^®

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about INVEGA TRINZA^® or INVEGA SUSTENNA^® that is written for healthcare professionals.

This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about INVEGA TRINZA^® and INVEGA SUSTENNA^®. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider.

You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information, go to www.invegatrinza.com or www.invegasustenna.com or call 1-800-526-7736.

045411-170710