Drug Name

Exelon (Rivastigmine)

Drug Uses

This medicine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat loss of memory as well as thinking problems due to Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. It may as well as be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Exelon usually is used twice daily with meals. Due to gastrointestinal side effects that can be seen beginning in therapy, exelon therapy is generally started at a abridged dose, often 1.5 mg twice daily, as well as gradually increased not more than once every 2 weeks. The goal usually is 6 mg twice daily. Incase a patient develops very bad gastrointestinal side effects such as upset stomach as well as vomiting, he or she may need to halt using exelon for a few doses as well as then start using it again at the alike dose or a lower dose. Drugs with anticholinergic effects as well as which cross into the brain, such as atropine, benztropine (Cogentin), as well as trihexyphenidyl (Artane) oppose the effects of exelon as well as should be avoided during therapy with exelon. Unlike donepezil (Aricept), exelon does not cause the blood levels of other medications to rise as well as increase their risk for side effects.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Exelon is an oral medication used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease. Exelon is in a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that as well as includes tacrine (Cognex), donezepil (Aricept), as well as galantamine (Reminyl). Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit (block) the action of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme accountable for the destruction of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of several neurotransmitters in the brain, chemicals that nerve cells take to communicate with one another. Reduced levels of acetylcholine in the brain are believed to be accountable for some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. By blocking the enzyme that destroys acetylcholine, exelon increases the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain, as well as this increase is believed to be accountable for the improvement in thinking seen with exelon.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as likely. Incase it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose as well as go back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat as well as light.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not halt using this medicine without earliest checking with your doctor. Before you possess any health examination or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Before you begin using any recent medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. For women: it is unknown incase this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Likely Side Effects

Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, increased sweating, tremor, weakness, unusual fatigue, weight loss, stomach pain, indigestion, or gas. Incase they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

More Information

Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription as well as over-the-counter medicine that you are using. Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed incase you are as well as using bethanechol. Inform your doctor of any other health examination conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed incase you possess history of asthma, other breathing disorders (e.g., obstructive pulmonary disease), confident heart conditions (e.g., sick sinus syndrome), eating disorders, or seizures. Contact your doctor or pharmacist incase you possess any questions or concerns about using this medicine.