What is Rivastigmine transdermal?
Rivastigmine is used for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson’s disease. Rivastigmine enhances the function and health of brain nerve cells. It prevents the breakdown of an important chemical for memory, reasoning, and thinking. This chemical is usually lower in people with dementia. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Rivastigmine Transdermal.
Side effects of Rivastigmine transdermal
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Rivastigmine transdermal may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Itching, redness, swelling, blistering, or skin sores at the place where the patch has been worn
- Severe or persistent nausea, or diarrhea, with weight gain
- 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, tongue, or mouth.
- Seizures (convulsions);
- Urination that is painful or difficult
- Severe skin irritation, itching, or redness;
- Dehydration symptoms: feeling thirsty or very hot, not being able to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dried skin.
Some of the common side effects associated with rivastigmine transdermal include:
- Headache, dizziness;
- Depression, anxiety;
- Tiredness, muscle weakness;
- Stomach pain;
- Trouble sleeping
There may be other side effects.Call your physician if experiencing side effects; to report adverse events call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
If you've ever experienced severe skin irritation, redness, or itching where a transdermal patch of rivastigmine was applied, then you should avoid using rivastigmine.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be used if you have an allergy to rivastigmine or other similar medications, such as Felbamate, Meprobamate, or Carisoprodol. If you've ever experienced severe skin irritation, redness, or itching where a transdermal rivastigmine skin patch was applied, then this medicine is not for you.
Provide information to your doctor relating to:
- 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.
Informing your physician of any pregnancy or plans to become pregnant is extremely important. Breast-feeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about any risks.
How to take Rivastigmine transdermal?
You should not wear the patch while taking rivastigmine. Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. Your medications must be taken exactly as instructed. Take only the transdermal patch. Transdermal patches are only to be used on the skin. Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Use the patch only on clean, hairless, and dry skin. Use only on skin that is not broken or irritated. For best results, press the patch into place for 30 seconds. The patch can be left on during bathing, swimming, and showering. After 24 hours, remove the skin patch and replace it with another one. Before applying a new patch, remove and dispose of any previous ones first. Wearing more than one skin patch will not increase the effectiveness of the medication.
Apply a new patch if a patch comes off. Wear it the rest of the time. The next day, change the patch as usual. Each time you apply a new patch, choose a different area of your body. Use the same area of skin no more than twice in a 14-day period. Wash your hands immediately after removing the patch. Fold the patch in half to make it stick together, and then throw it in a place that children or pets can't reach. The patch can be deadly to a pet or child who chews it. If this occurs, seek emergency medical care. You may need to wait up to four weeks for your symptoms to begin improving. Use the patches according to the instructions for the best results. Tell your surgeon if you are currently using rivastigmine transdermal if you require surgery. Do not start rivastigmine again without first consulting your doctor. You may have to start at a lower dosage. Store patches at room temperature away from moisture or heat and in their respective foil pouch until ready for use.
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 to 3mg orally twice daily, and then to 4.5mg twice daily and 6mg twice daily (based on tolerance) for a minimum period of four weeks.
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 of patch has been increased to 9.5 mg/24 hours, this can be continued for as long as it is effective. 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?
You can remove the patch and replace it as soon as possible if you forget. Wearing extra patches is not a good way to compensate for a missed dose. If you miss more than three doses of Rivastigmine, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid placing the patch in an area where it may be rubbed off by clothing that is too tight. Avoid touching your eye after handling a patch of skin. Avoid using lotion, powder, or oil on the area of skin to which you intend to apply the patch. The patch might not adhere to your skin. Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have experienced the effects of rivastigmine. Your inability to react properly could leave you helpless in times of danger. Heat sources include hot tubs, heating pads, heat lamps, and saunas. Heat sources can include saunas, hot tubs, and heated water beds.
Interaction with other drug
Share with your doctor all medications taken, such as:
- Medicine to treat mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or depression;
- Cold or allergy medication (Benadryl et al.)
- Parkinson's Disease Treatment;
- Medication to treat stomach disorders, motion sickness or irritable bowel syndrome.
- Medicine to treat overactive urinary bladder
- Asthma medication that acts as a bronchodilator
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (nsaids), including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are anti-inflammatory medication options used for pain management.
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.
