Rivastigmine
Description
Rivastigmine is used to treat mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. This medicine does not cure Parkinson's or Alzheimer's but it may slow the loss of or improve the patient's awareness of surroundings, ability to perform daily functions, and ability to think and remember.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Rivastigmine
- Decreased appetite
- Urinary tract infection
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Urinary retention/incontinence
- Skin Reactions
Uses of Rivastigmine
What is it prescribed for?
- Dementia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 10 to 12 hours after oral administration and 24 hours after a transdermal patch is applied.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the medicine or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to rivastigmine, other cholinesterase inhibitors, or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Transdermal patch site reactions
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a history of application site reactions suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis with a rivastigmine transdermal patch.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the medicine or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Driving vehicles and operating machinery
This medicine should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, fainting, and drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery during treatment with this medicine.
Gastrointestinal bleeding
This medicine should be used with caution due to an increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. This risk is especially higher in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disorders. Report any unusual symptoms such as blood in the stool, heartburn, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Patients with low body weight
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with low body weight (less than 50 kg) due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Skin application site reactions
This medicine may cause skin application site reactions in some patients. This may potentially lead to allergic contact dermatitis in some cases. Allergic contact dermatitis should be suspected if the reactions spread beyond the patch size or if symptoms do not improve within 48 hours after patch removal. In such cases, treatment should be discontinued. In patients who develop application site reactions with transdermal patch form of this medicine, treatment should be switched to oral form only after negative allergy testing and under close medical supervision.
Extrapyrimadal symptoms
This medicine may exacerbate or induce extrapyramidal symptoms such as tremors in some patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Take/Apply the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take/apply a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor immediately in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Metoprolol
Quetiapine
Tramadol
Bupropion
Disease interactions
Bradycardia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with pre-existing bradycardia since it may worsen the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered under your doctor's supervision.
Peptic ulcer disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of peptic ulcer disease since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any unusual side effects to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Seizures
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of seizures since it may worsen the patients' condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Respiratory Disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc. since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring of respiratory function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Patch: Before you apply a patch, make sure that your skin is clean, dry and hairless, free of any powder,
oil, moisturizer or lotion that could keep the patch from sticking to your skin properly, free of cuts,
rashes or irritations.
Capsule: Take this medicine with food.
Do not use/take in larger amounts than advised or prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain to improve the function of the nerve cells in the brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 11 January 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 11 January 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Rivastigmine patch, extended release [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 11 January 2018]. Available from:
Rivastigmine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 11 January 2018]. Available from:
Rivastigmine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 11 January 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 20 February 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 20 February 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 20 Feb 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.