Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Exelon.
Chemical Name: RIVASTIGMINE (ri-va-STIG-meen)
Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild to moderate dementia (such as problems with memory, judgment, and abstract thinking; changes in personality) caused by Alzheimer disease or Parkinson disease.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES if you are also taking another form of rivastigmine or another cholinesterase inhibitor (eg, donepezil). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), cholinergic agents (eg, bethanechol), or anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine). TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you are scheduled to have surgery or other medical procedures with general anesthesia. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of kidney or liver problems, certain heart problems (such as slow or irregular heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome), seizures (such as epilepsy), stomach or bowel problems (such as ulcer), lung or breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), or urinary blockage (trouble urinating). Tell your doctor if you weigh less than 110 lbs (50 kg) or if you have tremors, dementia or other decreased mental ability that is not caused by Alzheimer disease or Parkinson disease, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches. Use of Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches in children is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches to your child.
Follow the directions for using Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches provided by your doctor. An additional patient information leaflet is available with Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches. DO NOT CUT OR TEAR THE PATCH. Do not apply a patch if the pouch seal has been broken or if the patch has been damaged. APPLY THE PATCH to the upper or lower back, upper arm, or chest. Use a new application site with each new patch. Do not use the same site within 14 days. Apply to dry, intact skin. DO NOT APPLY to an area of skin that is hairy, oily, irritated, broken, scarred, or calloused. Do not apply to an area where cream, lotion, or powder has recently been applied. Do not place the patch under tight clothing. Do not remove the patch from the sealed pouch until you are ready to apply it. TO APPLY THE PATCH, remove the protective liner from one side of the patch. Place the sticky side of the patch on the application site, then remove the second side of the protective liner. Press the patch down firmly until the edges stick well. If you have questions about how to apply the patch, check with your doctor or pharmacist. AFTER 24 HOURS, REMOVE THE USED PATCH. Do not touch the sticky side. Fold the patch in half with the sticky sides together. Discard the patch out of the reach of children and away from pets. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY with soap and water after applying or removing a patch. Do not touch your eyes before you have washed your hands. You may wear the patch while bathing, swimming, or showering. Make sure the patch does not come loose during these activities. AVOID EXPOSING THE APPLICATION SITE TO DIRECT HEAT (eg, heating pads or electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated water beds, prolonged direct sunlight) for long periods of time. WEAR ONLY 1 PATCH AT A TIME. Be sure that you remove your old patch before you apply a new one. Change the patch at about the same time each day. DO NOT use bandages or tape to hold down loose patches. Do not reapply patches that have fallen off. STORE EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. CONTINUE TO USE EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. If your patch falls off or if you miss a dose of Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches, apply a new patch to a new site, then return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply 2 patches at once. Contact your doctor if you miss applying the patch for 3 or more days. Your doctor may need to restart your medicine at a lower dose to avoid side effects.
DO NOT TAKE EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to any ingredient in this product, or to carbamate derivatives (eg, meprobamate). Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches is for external use only. Do not get it in your mouth. DO NOT STOP USING EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES without first checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. When you begin taking Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches, your doctor will increase your dose slowly over several months. This may help to decrease the risk of certain side effects (such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite). Carefully follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your doctor. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches. EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES 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 Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches. Using Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches include diarrhea, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach upset or pain, tiredness, trouble sleeping, vomiting, weakness, or weight loss. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience 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 (such as depression); new or worsening tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; new or worsening trouble walking; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, tiredness, or weakness; slurred speech; severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; severe or persistent loss of appetite or weight loss; slow or irregular heartbeat; trouble speaking or swallowing; twitching of the face or tongue; or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds. An allergic reaction to Exelon 30 4.6mg/24hr Patches is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Exelon
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose include fainting; increased saliva production; loss of consciousness; muscle weakness; seizures; severe dizziness; severe nausea or vomiting; severely increased sweating; slow heartbeat; or slow or shallow breathing.
DO NOT SHARE EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT out of the reach of children. IF USING EXELON 30 4.6mg/24HR PATCHES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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