Rivastor
Rivastor transdermal patches help to relieve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.
How to Use
Dosage
Treatment usually starts with Rivastor 4.6 mg/24 hour patches. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.
Method
Apply one patch at a time to clean, dry, hairless skin (upper back, lower back, upper arm, or chest) and change it for a new one after 24 hours. Press the patch firmly with your palm for at least 30 seconds.
Only one transdermal patch per day. The recommended daily dose is Rivastor 9.5 mg/24 hours. The dose can be increased to 13.3 mg/24 hours if well tolerated.
Possible Side Effects
- •Appetite loss
- •Dizziness
- •Agitation or drowsiness
- •Urinary incontinence (inability to hold urine)
- •Increased salivation
- •Restlessness
- •General feeling of illness
- •Tremors or confusion
- •Increased sweating
- •Irregular heartbeat, such as slow heartbeat
- •Seeing things that are not real (hallucinations)
- •Stomach ulcer
- •Dehydration (losing too much fluid)
- •Hyperactivity (high activity, restlessness)
- •Aggressiveness
- •Sleep difficulties
- •Accidental falls
- •Falling
- •Stiffness in arms or legs
- •Hand tremors
- •Allergic reaction at the patch application site, such as blisters or skin inflammation
- •Worsening Parkinson's disease symptoms, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and slow, shuffling walk
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), symptoms include severe upper abdominal pain, often with nausea or vomiting
- •Fast or irregular heartbeat
- •High blood pressure
- •Seizures
- •Liver problems (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, abnormally dark urine, or unexplained nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and appetite loss)
- •Changes in liver function tests
- •Nightmares
- •Pisa syndrome (a condition involving involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal bending of the body and head to one side)
- •Intestinal ulcer
- •Angina (chest pain, can be caused by heart cramp)
- •Gastrointestinal bleeding (visible as blood in stool or vomit)
- •Severe vomiting that may cause tearing of the esophagus (food pipe)
Important Warnings
- Do not use the patch if you are allergic to rivastigmine or any other ingredient in the patch, or if you have had an allergic reaction to a similar medicine.
- Remove the patch and contact your doctor immediately if you develop a skin reaction that spreads beyond the patch or is severe (e.g., blisters, swelling), and does not improve within 48 hours after removing the patch.
- Remove the Rivastor patch before an MRI scan or electrical cardioversion to avoid skin burns, as the patch contains aluminum. You can apply a new patch after the procedure.
- Talk to your doctor before using if you have or have had heart disease, stomach ulcers, difficulty urinating, seizures, asthma or other severe breathing problems, tremors, are very underweight, have digestive problems (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), or liver problems.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine. Do not breastfeed during treatment.
Show 4 more warnings
- This medicine can cause fainting or confusion. Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel faint or confused.
- Use only one patch at a time. Using more than one patch can lead to too much medicine and be dangerous.
- Do not apply a new patch to the same skin area as a previous patch for 14 days.
- Do not expose the patch to direct sunlight, sauna, or solarium for prolonged periods.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Increases the risk of cardiac conduction disorders, such as bradycardia. May exacerbate existing COPD. Note adverse effects affecting the gastrointestinal tract with capsule preparations. Consider potential interactions. Avoid concomitant use of anticholinergic medicines. (updated 18.3.2024)