Invega approved as schizophrenia treatment for adolescents

TITUSVILLE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Johnson & Johnson for treating schizophrenia in adolescents.

J&J said Monday that the FDA had approved Invega (paliperidone) extended-release tablets for patients ages 12 to 17 years. The drug is marketed by J&J subsidiary Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The drug originally was approved in 2006 for treating schizophrenia in adults.

“Although rare, schizophrenia in adolescents is a very serious and disabling brain condition that affects every aspect of an adolescent’s life and has significant consequences,” J&J Research & Development global therapeutic head of neuroscience Husseini Manji said. “This new indication for Invega provides an additional option for clinicians who treat adolescents with schizophrenia and further demonstrates our commitment to helping people with diseases of the brain.”