Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Exelon Consumer Information

EXELON

Generic Name: rivastigmine (ri va STIG mean)

Brand Names: Exelon

What is the most important information I should know about rivastigmine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Rivastigmine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

What is rivastigmine?

• Rivastigmine is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is associated with low levels of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KOH leen) in your brain. The exact way that rivastigmine works is unknown. However, it is believed that rivastigmine prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in your brain.
• Rivastigmine is used to improve thinking and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
• Rivastigmine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take rivastigmine?

• Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you:
• have significant nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, or weight loss;
• have difficulty urinating;
• have heart disease such as a slow or irregular heartbeat;
• have a history of stomach ulcers;
• have seizures or a history of seizures;
• have a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease; or
• need to have surgery.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Rivastigmine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take rivastigmine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is also not known whether rivastigmine will harm a nursing infant. Do not take rivastigmine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take rivastigmine?

• Take rivastigmine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Rivastigmine is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and evening. Follow your doctor's directions.
• Take rivastigmine with food.
• If you are taking rivastigmine capsules, take each dose with a full glass of water.
• To use the rivastigmine oral solution:
• Remove the oral dosing syringe from its protective case. Push down and twist the child resistant closure to open bottle.
• Insert the tip of the syringe into opening of the white stopper.
• While holding the syringe, pull the plunger up to the level (see markings on side of syringe) that equals the dose prescribed by your doctor.
• Before removing the syringe containing the prescribed dose from the bottle, push out any large bubbles by moving the plunger up and down a few times. After the large bubbles are gone, pull the plunger again to the level that equals the dose prescribed by your doctor. Do not worry about a few tiny bubbles, this will not affect your dose. Remove the syringe from the bottle.
• You may swallow the solution directly from the syringe or mix it with a small glass of water, cold fruit juice, or soda. Do not mix it with other liquids. If mixing with water, juice, or soda, be sure to stir completely and to drink the entire mixture. Drink the mixture within 4 hours.
• After use, wipe the outside of the syringe with a clean tissue and put it back into its case. Close the bottle using the child resistant closure.
• Do not use a regular table spoon to measure a dose of rivastigmine liquid. Use the syringe provided.
• If you stop taking rivastigmine for any reason, talk to your doctor before restarting the medication. You may need to restart treatment with a lower dose.
• Store rivastigmine at room temperature away from moisture and heat in an upright position.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a rivastigmine overdose include severe nausea, vomiting, watering mouth, sweating, slow heartbeat, slow breathing, prolonged or severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, seizures, and collapse.

What should I avoid while taking rivastigmine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Rivastigmine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

What are the possible side effects of rivastigmine?

• Stop taking rivastigmine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
• Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take rivastigmine and talk to your doctor if you experience
• drowsiness or dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
• diarrhea;
• weight loss;
• abdominal pain or diarrhea;
• headache;
• weakness or a feeling of general discomfort; or
• tremor.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect rivastigmine?

• Rivastigmine can interact with many other medicines. Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter preparations, so that your therapy can be monitored for interactions.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about rivastigmine written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.