Rivastigmine

Generic name: Rivastigmine (oral)
Brand names: Exelon
Dosage form: oral capsule (1.5 mg; 3 mg; 4.5 mg; 6 mg)
Drug class: Cholinesterase inhibitors

Usage of Rivastigmine

Rivastigmine is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Rivastigmine is not a cure for Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Rivastigmine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Rivastigmine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Rivastigmine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss;

bloody or tarry stools, cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

tremors (uncontrolled shaking), restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

seizure (convulsions);

painful or difficult urination;

severe skin redness, itching, or irritation; or

dehydration symptoms--feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin.

Common side effects of rivastigmine may include:

upset stomach, nausea, vomiting;

loss of appetite; or

weakness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Rivastigmine

You should not take rivastigmine if you are allergic to rivastigmine or similar medicines, such as felbamate, meprobamate, or Carisoprodol.

You should not take oral rivastigmine if you have ever had severe redness, itching, or skin irritation caused by wearing a rivastigmine transdermal skin patch.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an ulcer or stomach bleeding;

a seizure;

heart problems;

liver or kidney disease;

urination problems; or

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Relate drugs

How to use Rivastigmine

Usual Adult Dose for Alzheimer's Disease:

MILD TO MODERATE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:ORAL:-Initial dose: 1.5 mg orally twice a day -Maintenance dose: After a minimum of 2 weeks of treatment, if the initial dosage is well tolerated, it can be increased to 3 mg twice a day; subsequent increases to 4.5 mg and 6 mg twice a day should be attempted only after a minimum of 2 weeks at the previous dosage TRANSDERMAL PATCH: -Initial Dose: 4.6 mg/24 hour patch applied to the skin once daily-Maintenance Dose: After a minimum of 4 weeks of treatment at the initial dose, and if well tolerated, the dose can be increased to 9.5 mg/24 hours for as long as this dose is beneficial; the dose can then be increased to 13.3 mg/24 hours-Maximum Dose: 13.3 mg/24 hour patch applied to skin daily; higher doses confer no appreciable additional benefit, and are associated with significant increase in the incidence of adverse eventsSEVERE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:TRANSDERMAL PATCH: -Recommended dose: 13.3 mg/24 hours transdermal patch applied to skin once daily; replace with a new patch every 24 hoursUse: For the treatment of mild, moderate, or severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type (AD)

Usual Adult Dose for Parkinson's Disease:

MILD TO MODERATE PARKINSON'S DISEASE DEMENTIA:ORAL:Initial dose: 1.5 mg orally twice a day with morning and evening mealsMaintenance dose: Subsequently, the dose can be increased to 3 mg orally twice a day and further to 4.5 mg twice a day and 6 mg twice a day (based on tolerability) with a minimum of 4 weeks at each dose TRANSDERMAL PATCH:Initial dose: 4.6 mg/24 hours applied to the skin once a dayMaintenance dose: After a minimum of four weeks of treatment and if well tolerated, the dose of the patch can be increased to 9.5 mg/24 hours for as long as this dose is beneficial. The dose can then be increased to 13.3 mg/24 hours.Maximum dose: 13.3 mg/24 hours. Higher doses confer no appreciable additional benefit, and are associated with significant increase in the incidence of adverse events.Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease

Warnings

You should not take oral rivastigmine if you have ever had severe redness, itching, or skin irritation caused by wearing a rivastigmine transdermal skin patch.

What other drugs will affect Rivastigmine

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness;

cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);

beta blocker heart or blood pressure medication;

medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;

medicine to treat nausea/vomiting, stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;

medicine to treat overactive bladder;

bronchodilator asthma medication; or

an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect rivastigmine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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