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

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?

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:

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.

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).

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