Exelon (Rivastigmine)

Exelon

Generic name: Rivastigmine

Rivastigmine capsules

What are rivastigmine capsules?

RIVASTIGMINE (Exelon®) helps treat the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but offers improvement in memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. Benefits are greater in the early stages of the disease. Generic rivastigmine capsules are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or other lung disease
• difficulty passing urine
• head injury
• heart disease, or irregular or slow heartbeat
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• Parkinson's disease
• seizures (convulsions)
• stomach or intestinal disease, ulcers, or stomach bleeding
• tobacco smoker
• an unusual or allergic reaction to rivastigmine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take rivastigmine capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Rivastigmine is usually administered twice daily with food, and is recommended to be taken with the morning and evening meals. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

If your prescriber asks you to stop taking rivastigmine; do not restart this medicine until your prescriber tells you to. Follow the special instructions given by your prescriber for restarting this medicine.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose, Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with rivastigmine?

• atropine
• benztropine
• dicyclomine
• digoxin
• donepezil
• galantamine
• glycopyrrolate
• hyoscyamine
• medications for motion sickness (examples: dimenhydrinate, scopolamine)
• medicines that relax your muscles for surgery
• non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
• oxybutynin
• propantheline
• tacrine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking rivastigmine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• changes in vision or balance
• diarrhea, if it is severe or does not stop
• dizziness, fainting spells, or falls
• increase in frequency of passing urine, or incontinence
• nervousness, agitation, or increased confusion
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• skin rash or hives
• slow heartbeat, or palpitations
• stomach pain
• sweating
• uncontrollable movements
• vomiting
• weight loss

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• mild diarrhea, especially when starting treatment
• indigestion or heartburn
• loss of appetite
• nausea

What should I watch for while taking rivastigmine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if there is no improvement in your symptoms or if they get worse.

You may get dizzy or feel faint. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how rivastigmine affects you.

If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking rivastigmine.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 degrees and 30 degrees C (59 degrees and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.