|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (ri
va STIG
meen) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Exelon® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (Central) |
|
|
| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If medicine is stopped for more than several days call healthcare
provider. This medicine must be started at a lower dose. Severe vomiting may
occur if not started at a lower
dose.
|
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to rivastigmine or any other part of the
medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The full
benefits may not be seen for 3 months after being at a stable maintenance
dose.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Rivastigmine increases the amounts of a chemical called acetylcholine
in the brain. Acetylcholine may be involved in memory, attention, and
learning.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with food at breakfast and dinner.
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- A liquid (solution) is available for patients who cannot swallow
pills. You may swallow solution directly from syringe or mix with water, juice,
or soda. Stir well and drink all of mixture within 4 hours of mixing. Do not mix
with other liquids. See instructions for use for oral solution enclosed with the
bottle.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible but take with food.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase side
effects.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be more
sensitive to this medicine.
- Use caution if you have a seizure history. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have a slow heartbeat or any other
unusual heartbeat.
- 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help. This may improve once you are on a stable
dose of medicine.
- Lack of appetite or not feeling hungry.
- Dizziness or weakness may occur. Use caution when driving, doing other
tasks or activities until you know that this medicine does not affect you.
- Belly pain.
- Headache.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check daily weight. Report a 2-4 pound weight loss.
- Appetite. If it decreases significantly report to healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Changes in balance. Feeling shaky or unsteady.
- Severe headache.
- If medicine stopped for more than several days. Dose will need to be
decreased.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store capsules in a tight container at room temperature.
- Store solution upright in a tight container at room temperature. Do
not freeze.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- 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.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
