What Is Exelon Patch Used For?

Exelon Patch contains rivastigmine, a medication that helps treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in adults by increasing important brain chemicals that help with memory and thinking.

Primary Uses

Exelon Patch is specifically used to treat adults with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition where brain damage occurs due to reduced numbers of cells that make important brain chemicals.

How It Works

Exelon Patch is a cholinesterase inhibitor that increases the amount of acetylcholine in your brain. This chemical is a neurotransmitter that helps the brain send messages throughout your body. By increasing these levels, the patch may help reduce symptoms and slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

How to Take Exelon Patch

Apply one patch daily to clean, dry skin on your upper arm, chest, upper back, or lower back. Press firmly for at least 30 seconds to ensure good contact with your skin.

Dosage Instructions

Apply ONE patch per day to one location on your body. Usually you’ll start with Exelon Patch 5 daily, and your doctor may adjust the dose over time. Always remove the old patch before applying a new one. Rotate application sites – use different areas each day and avoid the same spot for at least a week. Never cut the patch or apply it to wet, irritated, or damaged skin.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you forget to apply your patch, apply a new one immediately after removing the old one. Do not apply two patches to make up for a missed dose. If it has been more than 3 days since you applied a patch, contact your doctor before applying a new one as they may need to restart you on a lower dose.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Feeling tired, sick, weak, or dizzy
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Skin irritation or redness where patch was applied
• Weight loss
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Increased sweating
• Changes in toilet habits

Important Warnings

Exelon Patch is not suitable for everyone and requires careful monitoring by your doctor, especially if you have certain medical conditions.

Who Should Not Take Exelon Patch

Do not use if you are allergic to rivastigmine, carbamates, or any ingredients in the patch; have liver problems; have a history of skin reactions to adhesives or persistent rash, swelling, or blistering from previous Exelon Patch use; are under 18 years old; or if the patch is expired or damaged.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have difficulty urinating; heart conditions like irregular heartbeat, QTc prolongation, or family history of heart rhythm problems; stomach ulcers; breathing difficulties or asthma; seizures or trembling; low body weight (less than 50 kg); frequent vomiting or diarrhea; Parkinson’s disease; kidney problems; or if you smoke.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It’s unknown whether Exelon Patch affects your baby. You should not breastfeed during treatment with Exelon Patch.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interact with Exelon Patch and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

• Nicotine (including smoking cessation patches)
• Anti-nausea medicines like metoclopramide
• Beta blockers like atenolol for blood pressure
• Muscle relaxants used in surgery like bethanechol
• Other cholinomimetic or anticholinergic medications
• Heart rhythm medications like quinidine, amiodarone, pimozide
• Antibiotics like erythromycin, moxifloxacin
• Antidepressants like citalopram

Alcohol & Driving

Exelon Patch may affect your ability to drive safely and can interact with alcohol to increase drowsiness and dizziness.

Alcohol

Exelon Patch may make you feel dizzy or tired, and drinking alcohol may increase this effect. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Exelon Patch may make you feel dizzy or tired and may impact your driving. Do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy or tired, as you may not be able to think clearly. Your doctor will tell you whether you are able to drive.

Temperature Regulation

Do not expose Exelon Patch to direct heat sources for long periods, including sun, fireplaces, heaters, saunas, and tanning beds. Bathing, swimming, and showering should not affect the patch, but ensure it doesn’t rub off under swimming costumes.

Storage

Keep Exelon Patch in the original packet until ready to use. Store in a cool, dry place at room temperature (below 25°C). Do not store in the bathroom or near sinks. Keep away from children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters off the ground. After removal, fold the used patch in half with sticky sides together, place in original sachet, and dispose where children cannot access.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve applied more patches than prescribed, used another patch without removing the old one, or accidentally swallowed patch contents, immediately remove any patches from your skin and call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do this even if you feel fine – you may experience nausea, dizziness, fainting, or hallucinations.

Frequently Asked Questions