Brand Name

Exelon {Novartis}

Generic Name

rivastigmine {transdermal patch}, pronounced riv a STIG meen

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Exelon?

Exelon is a medication used to treat mild to moderate dementia. Exelon is believed to work by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen), which people with dementia typically have low levels of. The chemical acetylcholine is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning. Exelon is a transdermal, or skin, patch which helps treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

Exelon may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Exelon

Exelon may cause your thinking and reaction time to be impaired. Take care to have someone with you when you are driving and first start taking Exelon, until you know how you will react to this medication.

Exelon is in FDA pregnancy category B. Exelon is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby, but you should tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant or are pregnant. We do not know if Exelon passes into breast milk, so you should not breast-feed if you are taking Exelon.

You should not use any creams, lotion, ointment, powder or oils on the skin where you apply your Exelon skin patch, as it may not stick well to your skin if you do. Also avoid applying heat to the spot on your skin where you wear the patch, as it may cause your body to absorb more medication than needed. Examples of heat sources are hot tubs, heating pads, heat lamps, saunas, direct sunlight, heated water beds and heating blankets.

Before You Take Exelon

If you are allergic to rivastigmine you should not take Exelon.

If you have liver disease, recent weight loss or loss of appetite, epilepsy or a seizure disorder you should tell your doctor before taking Exelon.

If you have a stomach ulcer, enlarged prostate or urination problems you should tell your doctor.

Be sure that tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as “sick sinus syndrome” (slow heartbeats).

If you have history of asthma, allergies, tremors (dyskinesia) or uncontrolled muscle movements tell your doctor before beginning treatment with Exelon.

Exelon Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• aspirin
• atropine (Donnatal)
• benztropine (Cogentin)
• bronchodilators like ipratroprium (Atrovent) and tiotropium (Spiriva)
• dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin)
• methscopolamine (Pamine), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen) and piroxicam (Feldene),
• Parkinson’s Disease medications like levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet, Atamet), bromocriptine (Parlodel), pergolide (Permax), pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip)
• propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
• scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• urinary medications like darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol) and solifenacin (Vesicare)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Exelon. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Exelon

You should take Exelon exactly how your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not apply the Exelon patch for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Exelon should never be cut or torn.

The Exelon patch should be applied to a flat, hairless area on the skin of your chest, back, side, or outer side of your upper arm. Be sure to press the patch firmly with your palm to make sure that it sticks well, both in the middle of the patch and around the edges.

You should avoid placing the Exelon patch where it may be rubbed by tight clothing, or in between the folds of your skin. The patch should always remain flat on your skin at all times. Be careful not to accidentally remove the patch while you exercise or shower.

The Exelon patch will be worn for 24 hours, and then you will replace the patch with a new one. Use a different spot to apply your patch each day, taking care not to use the same spot again for at least 14 days.

Never wear more than one patch at a time. Always remove the old one before applying the new Exelon patch.

If you have a patch fall off, apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the day. Then change your patch at your usual time, or at your normal 24 hour mark.

After you remove the Exelon patch you should fold it in half with the sticky side in, and throw it away where children and pets cannot get ahold of it. Wash your hands after removing your patch.

You may need to stop wearing the Exelon patch if you need surgery, so be certain to tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are being treated with this medication. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume treatment with Exelon. Your doctor may also start you at a lower dose of Exelon, so do not start taking your previous patches without speaking to your physician first.

It may take up to 4 weeks of using the Exelon transdermal patch before you notice that your symptoms improve. Continue using the patches as directed and do not stop your treatment with Exelon without talking to your doctor first.

Exelon should be stored at room temperature, and away from moisture and heat. You should keep each patch in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it.

If you forget to apply a patch you should apply a new patch as soon as you remember, or you may wait until the next day to apply a patch and skip the missed dose. You should not use extra patches to make up the missed dose. Call your doctor if you miss 3 or more days in a row of Exelon patches.

Exelon Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Exelon and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• appetite loss with weight loss, nausea and vomiting
• black, bloody or tarry stools
• bruising and bleeding easily with pale skin
• hallucinations
• numbness or weakness (sudden) with a headache, confusion, problems with your vision, speech, or balance
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck, tremor (uncontrolled
  shaking)
• seizures, black-outs or convulsions
• urination that is painful or difficult

Less serious side effects may include:

• anxiety
• appetite loss
• depressed mood
• diarrhea
• dizziness or spinning feeling
• headache
• insomnia
• stomach pain
• swelling, itching or redness at the site of the patch
• tired feeling

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Exelon. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Exelon Description and Dosing

Exelon Patch is available in three strengths. Each patch has a beige backing layer and is labeled as:

• EXELON® PATCH 4.6 mg/24 hours, AMCX

• EXELON® PATCH 9.5 mg/24 hours, BHDI

• EXELON® PATCH 13.3 mg/24 hours, CNFU

Your doctor will decide what the right dose of Exelon is for you. You should follow your prescription exactly. Do not change or alter your dose of Exelon without talking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Exelon you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Exelon

The main ingredient in Exelon is rivastigmine. Excipients within the formulation include acrylic copolymer, poly(butylmethacrylate, methylmethacrylate), silicone adhesive applied to a flexible polymer backing film, silicone oil, and vitamin E.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.