Rivastigmine

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Exelon

Brand Names: Canada

APO-Rivastigmine; Exelon; JAMP Rivastigmine; MED-Rivastigmine; MYLAN-Rivastigmine; Rivastigmine Patch 10; Rivastigmine Patch 15; Rivastigmine Patch 5; SANDOZ Rivastigmine

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • It is used to treat dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

  • If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
  • If you have had a skin reaction to this drug or another form of this drug in the past.
  • If you are taking any of these drugs: Acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, esmolol, labetalol, metoclopramide, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, or timolol.
  • If you take other drugs called anticholinergics, like ipratropium or oxybutynin. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your drugs are anticholinergic.
  • If the patient is a child. Do not give this drug to a child.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
  • Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
  • It is common to have diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, throwing up, or weight loss with this drug. Long-term diarrhea or throwing up may lead to dehydration. Call your doctor if any of these side effects are very bad, bother you, or do not go away. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of dehydration like dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Skin patch:

  • Avoid use of heat sources (such as sunlamps, tanning beds, heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated waterbeds). Avoid long, hot baths or sunbathing. Your temperature may rise and cause too much drug to pass into your body.
  • The patch may have metal. Take off the patch before an MRI.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

All products:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
  • Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.
  • Shakiness, trouble moving around, or stiffness.
  • Very bad dizziness or passing out.
  • Seizures.
  • Feeling confused.
  • Depression.
  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
  • Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
  • Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
  • Slow heartbeat.
  • Trouble passing urine.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Falls.

Skin patch:

  • Peeling, itching, redness, swelling, warmth, or tender skin.
  • Blisters or sores that ooze, drain, or crust over.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • Upset stomach or throwing up.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Weight loss.
  • Stomach pain or diarrhea.
  • Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
  • Headache.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Anxiety.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All oral products:

  • Take with meals.
  • Take this drug at the same time of day.
  • Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

Oral solution:

  • Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug.
  • Take alone or mix with water, juice, or soda before drinking.
  • If you mix a dose in water, cold fruit juice, or soda, you may keep the mixed dose at room temperature for up to 4 hours before taking it.

Skin patch:

  • Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only.
  • Keep using this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
  • Do not use patches that are cut or do not look right.
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Put patch on clean, dry, healthy skin on the upper or lower back. If you are not able to do this, put on upper arm or chest.
  • Put patch on a site without hair.
  • Do not put on skin where you have just used creams, oils, lotions, powder, or other skin products. The patch may not stick as well.
  • Do not put on skin that is irritated or damaged. Do not put on an area with skin folds or skin that will be rubbed by tight clothes.
  • Move the patch site with each new patch. Do not put on the same site for 14 days.
  • If the patch falls off, put a new one on.
  • Put patch on at the same time of day.
  • Do not put on more than 1 patch at a time. Take off the old patch before you put a new one on. Wearing more than 1 patch at a time can lead to very bad and sometimes deadly overdose.
  • Be careful to not knock loose the patch while bathing or showering.
  • Save the pouch that the patch came in after putting on the patch. After you take off a patch, fold the sticky sides of the patch to each other. Put used patches in the pouch that you saved. Throw away where children and pets cannot get to them.
  • If you get this drug in your eyes, wash right away with water. If you have eye irritation that lasts or a change in eyesight, call your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

All oral products:

  • Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it, with a meal.
  • If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
  • If you miss taking this drug for a few days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again.

Skin patch:

  • Put on a missed patch as soon as you think about it after taking off the old one.
  • Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses.
  • If you miss taking this drug for a few days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

All products:

  • Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Oral solution:

  • Store upright with the cap on.
  • Do not freeze.

Skin patch:

  • Store patches in pouch until ready for use.

General drug facts

  • If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
  • Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2021-07-28

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022