What is Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Rivastigmine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning.
Rivastigmine is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Rivastigmine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Rivastigmine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning.
Rivastigmine transdermal (skin patch) is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Rivastigmine transdermal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as “sick sinus syndrome” (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.
Stop using rivastigmine and call your doctor at once if the medicine causes you to have stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is important to use rivastigmine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you stop taking rivastigmine for any reason, do not restart the medication without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower dose.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking rivastigmine.
Rivastigmine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Before using rivastigmine transdermal, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as “sick sinus syndrome” (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.
Stop using rivastigmine transdermal and call your doctor at once if the medicine causes you to have nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
If you stop using rivastigmine transdermal for any reason, do not restart the medication without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower dose.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using rivastigmine transdermal.
Rivastigmine transdermal can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder such as “sick sinus syndrome” (slow heartbeats)
• an enlarged prostate or urination problems
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take rivastigmine.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether rivastigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Before using rivastigmine transdermal, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease
• a heart rhythm disorder such as “sick sinus syndrome” (slow heartbeats)
• a history of stomach ulcer
• an enlarged prostate or urination problems
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• asthma or any allergies; or
• tremors (dyskinesia) or uncontrolled muscle movements

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use rivastigmine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether rivastigmine transdermal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Exelon Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using rivastigmine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite
• black, bloody, or tarry stools
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds
• feeling light-headed, fainting
• chest pain
• confusion, agitation, extreme fear; or
• pain or burning when you urinate

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, diarrhea
• weight loss
• weakness, dizziness
• swelling in your hands or feet
• joint pain
• cough, runny or stuffy nose
• increased sweating
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• headache

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using rivastigmine transdermal and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss
• black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck, tremor (uncontrolled shaking)
• sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding
• confusion, hallucinations; or
• pain or burning when you urinate

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea
• headache, tired feeling
• redness, itching, or swelling where the patch was worn
• dizziness, spinning feeling; or
• sleep problems (insomnia)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Exelon Interactions

What other drugs affect Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• atropine (Donnatal, and others)
• belladonna
• clidinium (Quarzan)
• dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
• hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others)
• mepenzolate (Cantil)
• methantheline (Provocholine)
• methscopolamine (Pamine)
• propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or
• scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with rivastigmine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Do not take rivastigmine capsules or oral liquid at the same time you are wearing the skin patch.
The following drugs can interact with rivastigmine transdermal. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
• mepenzolate (Cantil)
• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); or
• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with rivastigmine transdermal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Rivastigmine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Do not use any cream, lotion, ointment, oil, or powder on the skin where you plan to apply a skin patch. The patch may not stick well to the skin.
Avoid applying heat to the skin where the patch is worn, because it may increase the amount of medicine your body absorbs. Heat sources include hot tubs, heating pads, heat lamps, saunas, heated water beds, and direct sunlight.
Rivastigmine transdermal can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Exelon Dosage

How should I take Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Rivastigmine is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and evening. Follow your doctor’s directions.
Take rivastigmine with food.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking rivastigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Take the rivastigmine capsule with a full glass of water.
Do not use a regular table spoon to measure a dose of rivastigmine oral liquid (solution). Use the syringe provided.
You may swallow the oral liquid directly from the syringe or mix the medicine with a small glass of water, fruit juice, or soda. Do not use any other liquids to mix with rivastigmine oral liquid.
Stir the medicine mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
After using the syringe, wipe the outside of it with a clean tissue and put the syringe back into its case. Close the medicine bottle using the child resistant closure.
It is important to use rivastigmine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you stop taking rivastigmine for any reason, do not restart the medication without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower dose.
Store rivastigmine at room temperature away from moisture and heat in an upright position.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not apply more patches or use them for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Never cut or tear a rivastigmine patch.
Apply the skin patch to a flat, hairless area of the chest, back, side, or outer side of your upper arm. Press the patch firmly with the palm making sure it sticks firmly, especially around the edges.
Avoid placing the patch where it will be rubbed by tight clothing, or in the folds of your skin. The patch should remain flat on the skin at all times. Take care to avoid accidentally removing the patch while showering or during physical activity.
You will wear the patch for 24 hours and then remove it and put on a new one. Apply the new patch to a different skin area on your back each day. Do not use the same spot again for at least 14 days. Do not wear more than 1 patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.
If a patch falls off, apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the day. Change the patch at your usual time the next day.
After removing a skin patch fold it in half, sticky side in, and throw it away where children and pets cannot get to it.
Always wash your hands after removing the patch.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using rivastigmine transdermal. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
It may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the patches as directed.
If you stop using rivastigmine transdermal for any reason, do not restart the medication without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower dose.
Store rivastigmine skin patches at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each patch in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it.

What happens if I overdose on Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, drooling, sweating, blurred vision, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, slow or shallow breathing, or hallucinations.

What happens if I miss a dose of Exelon (Rivastigmine)?

Rivastigmine

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you miss several doses in a row, call your doctor before taking any more of this medication.

Rivastigmine Transdermal

Apply a skin patch as soon as you remember. Or you may wait until the next day to apply a patch and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra patches to make up the missed dose.
If you miss several doses in a row, call your doctor before using any more of this medication.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com