Pronunciation: RIV-a-STIG-meen
Generic Name: Rivastigmine
Brand Name: Exelon
Exelon is used for:
Treating mild to moderate dementia (eg, impairment of memory or judgement, abstract thinking, changes in personality) in patients with Alzheimer or Parkinson disease.
Exelon is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the brain, which may help reduce symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Do NOT use Exelon if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Exelon or to carbamate derivatives (eg, meprobamate)
- you are taking another form of rivastigmine (eg, patch, solution) or another cholinesterase inhibitor (eg, donepezil)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Exelon:
Some medical conditions may interact with Exelon. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney problems, certain heart problems (eg, slow or irregular heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome), seizures (eg, epilepsy), stomach or bowel problems (eg, an ulcer), lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), or a urinary blockage
- if you have dementia or other decreased mental ability that is not caused by Alzheimer or Parkinson disease
- if you are scheduled to have surgery or other medical procedures with general anesthesia
- if you weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kg)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Exelon. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because the risk of stomach or bowel bleeding may be increased
- Cholinergic agents (eg, bethanechol) or another cholinesterase inhibitor (eg, donepezil) because they may increase the risk of Exelon's side effects
- Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Exelon
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Exelon may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Exelon:
Use Exelon as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Exelon by mouth with the morning and evening meals, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Take Exelon on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Exelon at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Continue to take Exelon even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Exelon, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Contact your doctor if you miss several doses of Exelon. Your doctor may need to restart your medicine at a lower dose to avoid side effects.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Exelon.
Important safety information:
- Exelon may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Exelon with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- When you begin taking Exelon, your doctor will increase your dose slowly over several months. This may help to decrease the risk of certain side effects (eg, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite). Carefully follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Exelon before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Exelon should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Exelon while you are pregnant. It is not known if Exelon is found in breast milk. Exelon is not approved for use in women who may be breast-feeding.
Possible side effects of Exelon:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; decreased, increased, or painful urination; fainting; fever; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression); new or worsening tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; new or worsening trouble walking; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; severe or persistent dizziness, tiredness, or weakness; severe or persistent loss of appetite or weight loss; slow or irregular heartbeat; trouble speaking or swallowing; twitching of the face or tongue; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Exelon side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; increased saliva production; loss of consciousness; muscle weakness; seizures; severe dizziness; severe nausea or vomiting; severely increased sweating; slow heartbeat; slow or shallow breathing.
Proper storage of Exelon:
Store Exelon at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Exelon out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Exelon, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Exelon is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Exelon. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Exelon resources
- Exelon Side Effects (in more detail)
- Exelon Dosage
- Exelon Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Exelon Drug Interactions
- Exelon Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Exelon - Add your own review/rating
- Exelon Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Exelon Consumer Overview
- Exelon Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Exelon Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Rivastigmine Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Rivastigmine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Exelon with other medications
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Parkinson's Disease
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