What is the most important information I should know about rivastigmine?
Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as
"sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma,
obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.
Stop using rivastigmine and call your doctor at once if the medicine causes you to
have
stomach pain,
nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is important to use rivastigmine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you stop taking rivastigmine for any reason, do not restart the medication
without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower
dose.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
rivastigmine.
Rivastigmine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What is rivastigmine?
Rivastigmine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the
breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually
have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and
reasoning.
Rivastigmine is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's or
Parkinson's disease.
Rivastigmine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rivastigmine?
Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you have:
-
a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow
heartbeats);
-
an enlarged prostate or urination problems;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
-
asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take rivastigmine.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether rivastigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take rivastigmine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Rivastigmine is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and evening. Follow your
doctor's directions.
Take rivastigmine with food.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
rivastigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Take the rivastigmine capsule with a full glass of water.
Do not use a regular table spoon to measure a dose of rivastigmine oral liquid
(solution). Use the syringe provided.
You may swallow the oral liquid directly from the syringe or mix the medicine with a
small glass of water, fruit juice, or soda. Do not use any other liquids to mix with rivastigmine
oral liquid.
Stir the medicine mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire
dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
After using the syringe, wipe the outside of it with a clean tissue and put the syringe back
into its case. Close the medicine bottle using the child resistant closure.
It is important to use rivastigmine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you stop taking rivastigmine for any reason, do not restart the medication
without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower
dose.
Store rivastigmine at room temperature away from moisture and heat in an upright
position.
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