Rivastor
Rivastor patches contain rivastigmine and are used to help with symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease by increasing a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose. Treatment usually starts with a 4.6 mg/24 hour patch, and the usual dose is 9.5 mg/24 hours. The dose may be increased to 13.3 mg/24 hours if well tolerated.
Method
Apply one patch at a time to clean, dry, hairless skin on your upper or lower back, upper arm, or chest, and replace it with a new one after 24 hours. Press the patch firmly onto the skin for 30 seconds. Always remove the old patch before applying a new one. Do not cut the patch.
Use only one patch per day. Replace the patch with a new one after 24 hours.
Possible Side Effects
- •Loss of appetite
- •Dizziness
- •Feeling anxious or sleepy
- •Unable to control urination
- •Increased saliva
- •Restlessness
- •Feeling generally unwell
- •Tremors or confusion
- •Increased sweating
- •Heart problems like slow or fast heartbeat
- •Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
- •Stomach ulcer
- •Not enough fluid in your body (dehydration)
- •Being very active or aggressive
- •Falls
- •Stiff arms or legs
- •Shaking hands
- •Allergic skin reaction where the patch was (e.g., blisters, skin inflammation)
- •Worsening Parkinson's disease symptoms
- •Pancreatitis, causing bad stomach pain (inflammation of the pancreas)
- •High blood pressure
- •Seizures
- •Liver problems (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea)
- •Nightmares
- •Intestinal ulcer
- •Chest pain
- •Bleeding in the stomach or intestines (bloody stools or vomit)
- •Severe vomiting that can hurt your throat
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Pisa syndrome (body or head bends unusually to one side)
Important Warnings
- Do not use Rivastor patches if you are allergic to rivastigmine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Always remove the patch before an MRI scan or heart electrical cardioversion, as it contains aluminum and can cause burns.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had a severe skin reaction where the patch was applied (e.g., blisters or worsening inflammation that doesn't improve within 48 hours).
- Talk to your doctor if you have heart disease, a stomach ulcer, difficulty urinating, seizures, asthma, tremors, are very underweight, or have liver disease.
- If you have prolonged digestive problems (like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) that could lead to dehydration, tell your doctor.
Show 1 more warnings
- If you haven't used a patch for more than three days, talk to your doctor before applying a new one.
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)