Exelon

Rivastigmine Patch

(ri va STIG meen)

Exelon

It is used to treat dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. It is used to treat dementia in people with Parkinson's disease.

If you have an allergy to rivastigmine or any other part of this drug. If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. If you have had a skin reaction to this drug or another form of this drug in the past. If you are taking any of these drugs: Acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, esmolol, labetalol, metoclopramide, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, or timolol. If you take other drugs called anticholinergics, like ipratropium or oxybutynin. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your drugs are anticholinergic. If the patient is a child. Do not give this drug to a child. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you. Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol. Avoid use of heat sources (such as sunlamps, tanning beds, heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated waterbeds). Avoid long, hot baths or sunbathing. Your temperature may rise and cause too much drug to pass into your body. The patch may have metal. Take off the patch before an MRI. It is common to have diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, throwing up, or weight loss with this drug. Long-term diarrhea or throwing up may lead to dehydration. Call your doctor if any of these side effects are very bad, bother you, or do not go away. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of dehydration like dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain. Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse. Shakiness, trouble moving around, or stiffness. Very bad dizziness or passing out. Seizures. Feeling confused. Low mood (depression). Black, tarry, or bloody stools. Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds. Slow heartbeat. Trouble passing urine. Skin irritation. Falls. Blisters or sores that ooze, drain, or crust over.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Upset stomach or throwing up. Not hungry. Weight loss. Stomach pain or diarrhea. Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak. Headache. Trouble sleeping. Anxiety. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep using this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well. Do not use patches that are cut or do not look right. Wash your hands before and after use. Put patch on clean, dry, healthy skin on the upper or lower back. If you are not able to do this, put on upper arm or chest. Put patch on a site without hair. Do not put on skin where you have just used creams, oils, lotions, powder, or other skin products. The patch may not stick as well. Do not put on skin that is irritated or damaged. Do not put on an area with skin folds or skin that will be rubbed by tight clothes. Move the patch site with each new patch. Do not put on the same site for 14 days. If the patch falls off, put a new one on. Put patch on at the same time of day. Do not put on more than 1 patch at a time. Take off the old patch before you put a new one on. Wearing more than 1 patch at a time can lead to very bad and sometimes deadly overdose. Be careful to not knock loose the patch while bathing or showering. After you take off a skin patch, be sure to fold the sticky sides of the patch to each other. Throw away used patches where children and pets cannot get to them. If you get this drug in your eyes, wash right away with water. If you have eye irritation that lasts or a change in eyesight, call your doctor.

Put on a missed patch as soon as you think about it after taking off the old one. Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses. If you miss taking this drug for a few days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again.

Store at room temperature. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. Store patches in pouch until ready for use. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.