Exelon, Exelon Patch (rivastigmine) Side Effects, Uses & Dosage

What brand names are available for rivastigmine?

Exelon, Exelon Patch

Is rivastigmine available as a generic drug?

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Do I need a prescription for rivastigmine?

Yes

What are the uses for rivastigmine?

• Exelon and Exelon Patch is used for the treatment of
  mild to
  moderate
  dementia of the Alzheimer's type or mild to moderate
  dementia
  associated with
  Parkinson’s disease.

What are the side effects of rivastigmine?

• The most common side effects Exelon and Exelon Patch are:
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Weight loss
  • About one-half of patients who take Exelon and Exelon Patch develop
    symptoms of
    nausea,
    and about one-third vomit at least once, most commonly during the first few
    weeks of treatment as the dose is slowly increased.
  • Between one in five and one
    in four patients lose weight during rivastigmine therapy (about 7 to 10 pounds,
    on average).
  • One in six patients experiences a
    loss of appetite.
  • About one in
    fifty patients develops
    dizziness. Overall, 15% of patients (between one in
    seven and one in six) discontinue therapy due to side effects.
• Serious side effects include:
  • Seizures
  • Decreased heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fainting
  • Depression

What is the dosage for rivastigmine?

• Exelon and Exelon Patch usually is taken twice daily with meals. Due to
  gastrointestinal side effects that can be seen early in therapy, rivastigmine
  therapy is generally started at a low dose.

Exelon and Exelon Patch for treating dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease

• For treating dementia associated
  with Alzheimer’s the starting dose is 1.5 mg twice daily.
• It is gradually
  increased no more than once every two weeks.
• The goal usually is 3 to 6 mg twice
  daily.
• If a patient develops severe gastrointestinal side effects such as upset
  stomach and
  vomiting, he or she may need to stop taking rivastigmine for a few
  doses and then start taking it again at the same dose or a lower dose.

Exelon and Exelon Patch for treating dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease

• The
  starting dose for treating dementia associated with
  Parkinson’s disease is 1.5
  mg orally twice daily.
• The dose may be increased every four weeks to 3 to 6 mg
  twice daily.
• When using the patch the recommended starting dose is 4.6 mg/24
  hours patch once daily.
• The patch should be replaced with a new one every day.
• The maximum dose is one 9.5 mg/24 hour patch. At least four weeks should elapse
  before increasing the dose.

Which drugs or supplements interact with rivastigmine?

• Drugs with anticholinergic effects and which cross
  into the brain, such as
  atropine,
  benztropine (Cogentin), and trihexylphenidyl (Artane)
  oppose the effects of rivastigmine and should be avoided during therapy with
  Exelon and Exelon Patch.
• Unlike donepezil (Aricept),
  Exelon and Exelon Patch does not cause the blood
  levels of other medications to rise and increase their risk for side effects.

One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is __________________.
See Answer

Is rivastigmine safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

• Studies in pregnant rats and rabbits with high doses of
  Exelon and Exelon Patch failed to show effects on the offspring; however, no studies have
  been performed in pregnant women. Therefore, physicians must weigh the potential
  benefit of prescribing Exelon and Exelon Patch to pregnant women against the potential
  risks to the fetus.
• It is not known if rivastigmine is secreted in
  breast
  milk.

What else should I know about rivastigmine?

What preparations of rivastigmine are available?

• Capsules: 1.5 mg; 3 mg; 4.5 mg; 6 mg
• Patch: 4.6 mg/24 hours; 9.5 mg/24 hours; 13.3 mg/24 hours

How should I keep rivastigmine stored?

Capsules and solution should be stored at room temperature
between
15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).