Exelon Patch and/or Equivalents
| Drug | Related Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Exelon Patch 4.6mg/24hr and/or Equivalents | Exelon Patch, Exelon Patch 5, Mylan-Rivastigmine Patch, Rivastigmine Patches |
| Exelon Patch 9.5mg/24hr and/or Equivalents | Exelon Patch, Exelon Patch 10, Mylan-Rivastigmine Patch 10, Rivastigmine Patches |
| Exelon Patch 13.3mg/24hr and/or Equivalents | Exelon Patch, Exelon Patch 15, Rivastigmine Patches |
Exelon Patch
Exelon Patch Description
Rivastigmine is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterases are enzymes, which break down acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter and its breakdown leads to many degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. Exelon Patches, marketed by Novartis in the United States, contain Rivastigmine.
Exelon Patches are used for the treatment of dementia associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Exelon Patches are transdermal patches and are more preferred over oral administration of the drug because they reduce the risk of side effects. The patches are made up of four layers. Going from the skin to the outer surface, the layers are in the order – release liner, adhesive matrix, drug product and the backing film.
Conditions Treated by Exelon Patch
As mentioned earlier, the drug is used for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Cholinergic pathways in the brain are involved in cognitive processes. It is believed that dementia is caused due to perturbations in these pathways. Rivastigmine is thought to lead to enhanced cholinergic function by increasing the level of acetylcholine in the brain by preventing its hydrolysis.
Exelon Dosage Information
Exelon Patches are transdermal patches and are to be applied to the skin after peeling off the protective liner. They are available in two dosages – 4.6mg/24hrs and 9.5mg/24 hrs.
a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations
Exelon Patch therapy is initiated with an initial dosage of 4.6mg/24hrs. If the dose is well tolerated, then after 4 weeks the dosage is increased to 9.5mg/24hrs. This is the recommended dosage. Taking a higher dose not have any increased effects. On the contrary, it puts you at an increased risk of side effects.
Dose increases should be done only after a period of four weeks. If any side effects are seen during the treatment, then you need to discontinue the medication. if you resume your medication after more than 3 days, then you must start again at the lowest initial dosage.
b.) Missing a Dose
In case you miss a dose, you can apply a patch when you remember. You can then return to your normal schedule. However, do not apply two patches to compensate for a missed dose. This will lead to overdosage and associated complications. If you missed your dose for more than 3 days, then you must consult with your doctor and then restart medications at the lowest dose.
c.) Overdosing
The strategies for management of overdose are changing continuously and therefore, in case of an overdose, you must contact a Poison Control Center. They will provide you the latest recommendations for managing your overdose of Exelon Patches.
Rivastigmine has a half-life of 3.4 hours and it can inhibit acetylcholinesterase for around 9 hours. Therefore, if you overdose, then you must discontinue the medications immediately and not re-administer a patch in the next 24 hours. Overdosage leads to symptoms associated with cholinergic crisis. These include vomiting, nausea, bradychardia, sweating, convulsions etc. The use of antiemetics is recommended in case of an overdose.
Exelon Warnings
You must avoid overdosing as this can have serious implications. Hospitalization may be required in cases. Fatalities have been reported too. The primary reason for overdosing is forgetting to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
It can severely affect your gastrointestinal system if you exceed the recommended dosages. The adverse reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, etc. Weight loss also has been reported among users of Exelon Patches. This may be mainly due to anorexia or decreased appetite, which develops due to the medication.
Due to the cholinergic activity of the drug, there might be an increased secretion of gastric acids in the stomach. This might people at an increased risk of peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, the cholinergic activity may be responsible for the excitation of the vagus nerve. This might affect the heart rate and lead to bradychardia. You are also at increased risk of genitourinary conditions such as urinary obstruction.
The drug works on the nervous system and hence it will have pronounced neurological effects. Exelon patches have a potential for inducing seizures and causing tremors. It may also compromise your ability to perform certain motor functions such as driving.
Exelon Side Effects
Most of the drugs cause side effects that can be classified into minor and severe. The minor side effects of Exelon patches include:
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- weaknesses
If these side effects persist for long or become severe, then you must consult your doctor.
If you develop an allergic response to the patch, then you must discontinue the medication immediately. The allergic responses include:
- hives
- rashes
- itching
- swelling in the face mouth etc
Other severe side effects of Exelon Patches include:
- blood in stool
- pain while urinating
- chest pain
- decrease in the level of coordination
- occurrence or worsening of tremor
- change in heart rate etc
if you develop any of these severe side effects, then you must discontinue the medication immediately and take professional help.
Possible Drug Interactions with Exelon Patch
This is not a complete list of all the drugs that interact with Exelon patches. There are many more drugs, which interact with Rivastigmine in the patches. Therefore, it is very important that you consult with your doctor before starting any new medications. This will prevent any untoward drug interactions and the side effects associated with them.
If you have any questions about buying discount Exelon Patch online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.
Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Exelon Patch and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information
