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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
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Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
Other commonly used names are ENA 713SDZ ENA 713 , and SDZ--212713.
Rivastigmine (riv-a-STIG-meen)is used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Rivastigmine will not cure Alzheimer's disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse. However, rivastigmine can improve thinking ability in some patients with Alzheimer's disease.
In Alzheimer's disease, many chemical changes take place in the brain. One of the earliest and biggest changes is that there is less of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine (ACh). ACh helps the brain to work properly. Rivastigmine slows the breakdown of ACh, so it can build up and have a greater effect. However, as Alzheimer's disease gets worse, there will be less and less ACh, so rivastigmine may not work as well.
Rivastigmine may cause significant gastrointestinal problems, such as loss of appetite and weight loss. While taking this medication, you must watch for these reactions.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For rivastigmine the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to rivastigmine or to other medications. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Rivastigmine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, rivastigmine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether rivastigmine passes into breast milk. However, use of rivastigmine is not recommended in nursing mothers.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of rivastigmine in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults--Studies on rivastigmine have been done only in middle-aged and older patients. Information on the effects of rivastigmine is based on these patients.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking rivastigmine, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of rivastigmine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more or less often than your doctor ordered. Taking too much may increase the chance of side effects, while taking too little may not improve your condition.
Rivastigmine is best taken with food
Rivastigmine seems to work best when it is taken at regularly spaced times, usually two times a day, in the morning and evening.
Dosing--The dose of rivastigmine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of rivastigmine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose-- If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage--To store this medicine:
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits
Tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse, or if you notice any new symptoms.
Before you have any kind of surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, tell the doctor medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine. Taking rivastigmine together with medicines that are sometimes used during surgery or dental or emergency treatments may increase the effects of these medicines.
Rivastigmine may cause some people to become dizzy, clumsy, or unsteady.Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert .
Do not stop taking this medicine or decrease your dose without first checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly or decreasing the dose by a large amount may cause mental or behavior changes.
If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of rivastigmine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of rivastigmine may lead to seizures or shock. Some signs of shock are large pupils, irregular breathing, and fast weak pulse. Other signs of an overdose are severe nausea and vomiting, increasing muscle weakness, greatly increased sweating, and greatly increased watering of the mouth.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel.
Rivastigmine may case some serious side effects, including gastrointestinal problems. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of receiving it.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur
More common
Indigestion; loss of appetite; vomiting
Less common
High blood pressure; slow heartbeat; fainting
Rare
Aggression, irritability, or nervousness; loss or lack of strength; seizures; trembling and shaking of hands and fingers; trouble in urinating
Symptoms of Overdose
seizures; fast weak pulse; greatly increased sweating; greatly increased watering of mouth; irregular breathing; increasing muscle weakness; large pupils; low blood pressure; nausea; slow heartbeat; vomiting (severe)
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
More Common
Abdominal or stomach pain or cramping; bloated full feeling; confusion; constipation; depression; dizziness; fatigue; headache; seeing or feeling things that are not there
Less common
general feeling of discomfort or illness; increased sweating; runny nose; trouble in sleeping
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 08/07/2000
Revised:
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