Rivastigmine 

Overview

A cognitive-enhancing drug called Rivastigmine is used to treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Alzheimer’s disease-related declines in memory and cognition disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many types of dementia may be linked to cholinergic neuron degeneration. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that Rivastigmine   suppresses by blocking the cholinesterase enzyme. This improves the function of undamaged cholinergic neurons by raising acetylcholine levels in the brain and enhancing general cognitive function as well as memory.

Information about Dosing

Rivastigmine   is prescribed at a beginning dose of 1.5 mg twice a day (3 mg/day). This should be given to the patient dose for at least two weeks. The dose may be raised to 3 mg twice a day (6 mg/day) if it is tolerated.

The next higher doses, if necessary, are 4.5 mg twice a day (9 mg/day) and 6 mg twice a day(12 mg daily). Only after a minimum of two weeks at the lower dose can the dosage be changed. A daily dose of 12 mg is the limit.

Starting with a 4.6 mg/24 hours topical patch, the patient may get treatment. The patient needs to remain before escalating to the higher dose of after the suggested 4-week treatment duration at this dosage 9.5 milligrams per day. If the doctor is transferring the patient’s dosage from oral to topical, the patient should take a total of daily dosage less than 6 mg, the 4.6 mg/24 hours patch may be used instead. The patient whose daily dosage amounts are 6–12 mg, the 9.5 mg/24-hour patch is appropriate.

Typical Side Effects

The most typical Rivastigmine   adverse effects are dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, cramping, exhaustion, appetite loss, and decrease in body weight. At greater doses, these symptoms occur more often; nonetheless, When treatment is maintained, the majority of the time, the side effects are modest and temporary, disappearing within one to three weeks. Rivastigmine   may make you feel drowsy and dizzy, particularly when you first start treatment.

Adverse Events and Safety Measures

Patients using Rivastigmine   should disclose this information to their surgeon before any operation, since it may interact with any anesthetic that relaxes the muscles that they could be given.

Heart rate may be slowed down with Rivastigmine. Patients on medication for cardiac conduction issues, those with a history of dizziness linked to slow heart rate (bradycardia), and When using Rivastigmine, cardiac issues should be properly watched.

Seizures may occur with Rivastigmine   in those who are vulnerable, while this side effect is quite uncommon. Still, Alzheimer’s disease may sometimes show symptoms in the form of seizures.

Individuals who have had asthma attacks or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be constantly watched. while using Rivastigmine. Rivastigmine   could make several lung conditions worse.

Gastric acid discharges may rise when using Rivastigmine. Individuals who have had ulcers in the past or who are taking NSAIDs (steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines), such naproxen or ibuprofen, should be constantly watched for indicators of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Potential Interactions with Drugs

There aren’t many noteworthy medication interactions linked to Rivastigmine. The medication interactions that are clinically significant the following below provides a summary of the reports filed with Rivastigmine. 

• Alcohol should not be used by patients taking Rivastigmine   as this combination may exacerbate sedation and fatigue. Additionally, alcohol’s sedative properties may have a depressive impact, masking its therapeutic benefits of Rivastigmine, making therapy more difficult. 
• Agents that are anticholinergic (e.g., Cogentin) Rivastigmine   and anticholinergic medications, when used in combination, may behave in opposition to one another’s diminishing potency. 
• NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, (For example, naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin) Given that NSAIDs are linked to an increased risk of stomach ulcers, and Rivastigmine   might increase the release of stomach acid, the combination could make gastrointestinal bleeding more likely. 

overindulgence

High amounts of acetylcholine resulting from an Rivastigmine   overdose may cause a cholinergic crisis. Severe nausea, vomiting, salivation, a slowed heartbeat, perspiration, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure, seizures, respiratory depression, and weakening of the muscles. Rivastigmine   overdoses may be fatal.
Treating any suspected overdose as an emergency is imperative. The individual has to be brought to the emergency space for care and observation. It is advisable to bring the prescription bottle of medicine (as well as any additional medication that may have been taken in excess) since the information on the label may be useful in helping the treating physician figure out how many tablets the patient has taken.

Particular Points to Remember

• Take the missed dosage as soon as you remember. Ignore the missed dosage if the next scheduled dose is approaching and go on with your usual dosage regimen. Avoid taking two doses at once. You may take Rivastigmine   with or without meals.
• The optimal times to take Rivastigmine   are in the morning and just before bed, just before going to bed.
• Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting may lead to electrolyte loss and dehydration, which can be hazardous, particularly for elderly people. Notify your doctor if you have chronic diarrhea or vomiting for longer than a day.
• Rivastigmine   may make you drowsy and dizzy, particularly when starting treatment, and it may also affect your attentiveness. When driving or doing other duties that call for attentiveness, proceed with care.
• To reduce skin irritation, alternate the application location of Rivastigmine   topical patches every day. Do not forget to replace the patch after a full day. Should you or the caregiver neglect to apply a fresh patch at the scheduled time when the next patch is due at the regular time, replace the current one right away. You may apply the skin patch to a clean, dry, hairless, and non-inflammatory patch of the skin on the upper arm or chest. Avoid applying over skin regions after the use of creams or lotions. When applied correctly, the patch remains whole even while sweating or taking a bath.
• See your doctor if it has been more than a few days between treatments. Occasionally, the patient may have to start taking the drug again at a reduced dosage.
• Keep the medicine out of direct sunlight and dampness, in the light-resistant container that came with it. Warmth and Moisture may hasten the disintegration of your prescription and cause it to lose its medicinal benefits.
• Make sure kids can’t get to your medicine.