Rivastigmine Overview

(ri va STIG meen)

Exelon®

Exelon®; Mylan-Rivastigmine; Novo-Rivastigmine; PMS-Rivastigmine; ratio-Rivastigmine; Sandoz-Rivastigmine

Exelon

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (Central)

• If this medicine is stopped for more than several days, call healthcare provider. This medicine must be started at a lower dose to prevent vomiting.

• If you have an allergy to rivastigmine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Rivastigmine increases the amount of a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine may be involved in memory, attention, and learning.

Oral:

• Take this medicine at breakfast and dinner.

• Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Take alone or mix with water, juice, or soda before drinking. See instructions enclosed with the bottle.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

Skin patch:

• Do not use patches that are damaged or cut.

• Do not apply more than one patch at a time.

• Remove old patch first.

• Wash hands before and after use.

• Apply patch to clean, dry, healthy skin on the upper or lower back. If this is not possible, apply to upper arm or chest.

• Move patch site with each patch. Do not apply to the same site for 14 days.

• If the patch falls off, replace with a new one.

• If patch loosens, apply tape over it to hold in place.

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible, with a meal.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check weight weekly. Report a weight loss to healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• Store capsules and patches at room temperature.

• Protect capsules from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• Store solution at room temperature. Do not freeze.

• Protect solution from light.

• Store patches in protective pouch until ready for use.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:34:40.0

Modified: 2010-05-05 14:07:03.0

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