Invega Sustenna, Trinza and Hafyera Injections in Fort Lauderdale
Same-day visits are often possible
See us in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida. We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and most major insurance plans. Se habla español.
Invega is the brand name for paliperidone shots. They come in three versions that differ in how long each shot lasts: Invega Sustenna once a month, Invega Trinza every 3 months and Invega Hafyera every 6 months.
We give all three. Which one fits you depends on your needs and how you’ve done on treatment so far.
We give Invega at our Fort Lauderdale office for adults with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
What Is Paliperidone?
Paliperidone is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by changing the activity of certain natural chemicals in the brain, which can calm hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking. It’s closely related to risperidone. It’s also sold as a daily pill, but the shot releases the medicine slowly over weeks or months.
What It’s Used For
- Invega Sustenna: schizophrenia in adults, and schizoaffective disorder in adults, alone or with a mood stabilizer or antidepressant
- Invega Trinza: schizophrenia, after at least 4 months on Invega Sustenna
- Invega Hafyera: schizophrenia in adults, after at least 4 months on Invega Sustenna or one 3-month cycle of Invega Trinza
Schizoaffective disorder involves both losing touch with reality and mood problems like depression or mania.
How the Shots Are Given
Starting with Invega Sustenna
If you’ve never taken paliperidone or risperidone, you’ll usually take one of them by mouth first to make sure you tolerate it. Invega Sustenna starts with two shots in the upper arm, one week apart. After that, you get one shot a month in the arm or the buttock.
Moving to every 3 or 6 months
Once you’ve done well on monthly shots for at least 4 months, your provider may talk with you about switching to Invega Trinza every 3 months. From there, or straight from monthly shots, some adults move to Invega Hafyera, a single shot in the buttock every 6 months.
Our medical providers give every shot in the office. There’s a small window around each due date, so if you can’t make your exact day, call us and we’ll work something out.
Is It Right for Me?
Your provider will ask about past antipsychotics, heart rhythm problems such as long QT, seizures, diabetes or high blood sugar in you or your family, cholesterol, low white blood cell counts, Parkinson’s disease, trouble swallowing, kidney or liver disease, and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Mention St. John’s wort if you take it.
Side Effects
Common ones include soreness where the shot went in, sleepiness, dizziness, restlessness (an inner urge to keep moving), weight gain and stiff or shaky muscles.
Call us right away or get emergency care if you have:
- Fever, stiff muscles, confusion or a fast or irregular heartbeat
- Movements of the face, tongue or body you can’t control
- Signs of high blood sugar: extreme thirst, peeing a lot, blurred vision or weakness
- A seizure, fainting or falling
- An erection that lasts for hours
- Rash, swelling or trouble breathing
- Fever, chills or other signs of infection
Important Safety Information
Antipsychotic medicines, including this one, raise the risk of death in older adults who have dementia-related psychosis. It isn’t approved to treat that.
It can make you drowsy and slow your reactions, so don’t drive until you know how it affects you. Get up slowly, since standing fast can make you lightheaded. Your provider may check your weight, blood sugar and blood counts over time.
If You Miss a Shot
Call us as soon as you can. How we restart depends on which Invega you’re on and how long it’s been, so don’t wait for your next scheduled date.
Getting Invega at One Stop Psychiatry
1. Reach out
Call (754) 270-6322 or request an appointment online. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you already get this shot somewhere else and need a new place to keep it going, tell us when your next one is due so we can try to see you in time.
2. We check your coverage
Our staff verify your insurance, send your intake packet and confirm the time of your visit. Some plans require prior authorization before they’ll cover an injection. Our staff send your insurance company the information it asks for, but the insurance company makes the final decision on coverage.
3. Evaluation
Your provider goes over your history, the medicines you’ve tried, how you’ve done on them and your medical health. If you’re new to paliperidone, a short trial by mouth often comes first.
4. Your injection visits
Shots are given by our medical providers at our office at 3015 N Ocean Blvd, Ste C101, Fort Lauderdale. Between shots, many check-ins can happen by video if you’re in Florida.
Common Questions
How long does Invega last?
Invega Sustenna lasts a month, Invega Trinza 3 months and Invega Hafyera 6 months.
Can I start on the 6-month shot?
No. Invega Hafyera is only for adults who’ve already done well on Invega Sustenna for at least 4 months or on one 3-month cycle of Invega Trinza.
Is Invega the same as Risperdal?
They’re closely related. Paliperidone is a breakdown product of risperidone, so taking risperidone first can show how you’ll handle it.
Where is the shot given?
In the upper arm or buttock muscle, depending on the version and the stage of treatment.
Which Invega do you give?
All three: monthly, every 3 months and every 6 months. Your provider recommends one based on your needs.
Can I keep my Invega shots going at your office?
Yes. Send your records and tell us your next due date so we can schedule you in time.
Related Pages
- Schizophrenia treatment
- Uzedy (risperidone) injection
- Abilify Maintena injection
- All medications we manage
- All long-acting injections we give
Insurance and Cost
We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Optum, and we offer sliding-scale self-pay rates for visits. What you’ll pay for the medicine itself depends on your plan. We check your benefits before your first shot, though your insurance company makes the final call on coverage. More on insurance.
Several of our providers and staff speak Spanish.
We aren’t an emergency service. If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DO, psychiatrist, on October 6, 2026.
Sources: FDA label: Invega Sustenna, Trinza and Hafyera; MedlinePlus: Paliperidone Injection. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Who You'll See
Your care is with our team of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Some of them speak Spanish. Our staff can help you choose someone who's a good fit.
Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DOPsychiatrist
Dr. Murtaza Ali, DOAddiction specialist and family physician
Dr. Heather Brathwaite, PhD, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner
Michelle KovalPsychiatric nurse practitioner
Neal Fouke, PAPsychiatric physician assistant
Muhammad Nawaz, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitionerRequest an Appointment
Tell us how to reach you. Our team calls back the same business day, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Your appointment is confirmed once staff call you to set the time and place.
Prefer to talk to someone? Call (754) 270-6322.
Our Office
3015 N Ocean Blvd, Ste C101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: (754) 270-6322. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Video visits are available anywhere in Florida. Directions and parking.