Rivastigmine

What is Rivastigmine?

Rivastigmine can be used to treat mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease, as well as Parkinson’s disease. Rivastigmine does not cure Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Rivastigmine.

Side effects of Rivastigmine

If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lip/throat. Seek medical assistance immediately!

Rivastigmine may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• Severe or persistent nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or loss of weight
• Bloody mucus, bloody stools, or vomit that looks similar to coffee grounds.
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
• You may experience tremors and restless movements of your jaw, neck, eyes, or tongue.
• Seizure (convulsions);
• Urination that is painful or difficult
• Severe skin redness or itching;
• Dehydration symptoms: feeling thirsty or very hot, not being able to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dried skin.

Ribastigmine can cause the following side effects:

• Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting;
• Loss of appetite

There may be other side effects. Call your physician immediately if experiencing side effects; alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 if reporting.

Similar/related drugs

Donpezil, memantine, ropinirole, pramipexole, Aricept, benztropine, carbidopa, and levodopa

Warnings

If you've ever experienced severe skin irritation, redness, or itching caused by transdermal rivastigmine skin patches, then you should avoid taking oral rivastigmine.

Before you take this drug

If you have an allergy to rivastigmine, you should avoid taking it. This includes felbamate or meprobamate. If you've ever experienced severe skin irritation, redness, or itching caused by a transdermal rivastigmine patch, then you should avoid taking oral rivastigmine.

Inform your physician of any of the following issues:

• An ulcer or stomach bleeding
• A seizure;
• Heart problems
• Liver or kidney disease
• Urination problems can be caused by a number of factors.
• Asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease (CPD) are breathing disorders.

Notify your doctor of any pregnancy or plans to become pregnant, including plans. As this medication inhibits breastfeeding, this may make breastfeeding less feasible. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks.

How to take Rivastigmine?

You should not use a rivastigmine skin patch while taking rivastigmine oral liquid or capsules. Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose.Take your medication as directed. Do not make changes without consulting with a health provider first. Take rivastigmine along with your meal. Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If the instructions don't make sense to you, seek help from either your physician or pharmacist. Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon). The liquid medicine can be swallowed directly from the syringe or mixed with water, juice, or soda. Mix the liquid medicine with water, fruit juice, or soda, and drink it within four hours. Pour a little water into the glass and swirl it gently. Drink immediately.

After use, wipe it clean with a tissue. Then place the syringe in its protective case. Closing the medicine bottle with the child-resistant cap is the best way to ensure that it stays closed. If you have diarrhea or vomiting or are sweating more often than normal, call your doctor. You can easily dehydrate while taking rivastigmine. The dose of Rivastigmine is based on your weight. Your dose requirements could change if you gain or lose weight, as this could alter the way in which medication needs to be prescribed to you. Tell your doctor if you are currently taking this medication and if you require surgery. Do not start taking the medication again without first consulting your doctor. You may have to start at a lower dosage. Store upright at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. Don't allow liquid medicines to freeze.

Details on dosage

Adult dosage for Alzheimer's disease:

ALZHEIMER DISEASE MILD TO MODERATE
ORAL:
Initial dosage: 1.5 mg twice daily orally
Maintenance dosage: If the initial dose is tolerated well, after 2 weeks, the dosage can be increased to three milligrams twice daily. Subsequent increases to six milligrams twice daily should only be attempted after two weeks at the original dosage.
TRANSDERMAL PATCH
Initial Dose: Apply a 4.6 mg/24-hour patch to the skin, once daily.
Maintenance dose: If well tolerated after a minimum of 4 weeks at the initial dosage, the dose may be increased up to 9.5 mg/24 hours for as long as it is beneficial. The dose can then be increased to 13.3 mg/24 hours.
Maximum Dose: 13.3 mg/24-hour patch applied daily to the skin; higher doses do not confer any additional benefit and are associated with a significant increase in adverse events.
SEVERE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
TRANSDERMAL PATCH
Recommended dosage: 13.3 mg/24-hour transdermal patches applied to the skin once daily. Replace it with a fresh patch every 24 hours.
Use: To treat mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Adult dosage for Parkinson's disease:

Mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia:
ORAL:
Initial dose: Take 1.5 mg twice daily with breakfast and dinner.
Maintenance dose: The dose may be increased based on tolerance to 3 mg orally two times a week, 4.5 mg once a week, and 6 mg once a month.
TRANSDERMAL PATCH
Initial dose: 4.6 mg/24 hours applied to the skin once per day.
Maintenance dose: If the treatment is well tolerated and the dose is 9.5 mg/24 hours, it can be continued for as long as the benefit of this dose continues. The dose may then be increased up to 13.3 mg/24 hours.
Maximum dose: 13.3 mg/24 hours. The higher doses do not confer any additional benefit and are associated with a significant increase in adverse events.
Use: To treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Parkinson's disease.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once. Call your doctor if you have missed several doses of rivastigmine. Refill your prescription before you run out.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. The symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Other symptoms can be a slow heartbeat, shallow or weak breathing, fainting, or seizures (convulsions).

What should be avoided?

Do not drive or engage in any hazardous activities until you have a better understanding of how rivastigmine affects you. You may be unable to react properly.

Interaction with other drug

Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:

• Medicine to treat depression or anxiety;
• Cold or allergy medication (Benadryl et al.)
• Beta blockers for blood pressure or heart disease;
• Parkinson's Disease Treatment;
• Medicines to treat nausea, vomiting, or stomach problems; motion sickness; and irritable bowel syndrome
• Medicine to treat overactive urinary bladder
• Asthma medication that acts as a bronchodilator
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen fall under this classification of medications.

This list isn't complete, and other drugs can also affect rivastigmine. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.This list does not encompass all possible drug interactions.