Rivastigmine Dosing (Cont.)

Rivastigmine Dosing for Parkinson's Dementia

The starting dose of rivastigmine for treating Parkinson's dementia is 1.5 mg twice daily. After four weeks, your healthcare provider may increase the dose to 3 mg twice daily. If necessary, your healthcare provider may further increase your dose to 4.5 mg twice daily after another four weeks, and then to 6 mg twice daily after an additional four weeks.
 
Let your healthcare provider know if you develop bothersome or severe side effects, such as severe nausea or vomiting. He or she may recommend stopping the drug for a short while and then restarting at the same or lower dose. If, at any time, you stop taking rivastigmine for an extended period, you must start over at the beginning dose and increase it slowly as before.
 

General Information on Dosing With Rivastigmine

Considerations for people taking rivastigmine include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in capsule and oral solution (liquid) form. It is taken by mouth, usually twice a day.
     
  • Rivastigmine should be taken with meals.
     
  • Rivastigmine oral solution can be taken directly or may be mixed with a small glass of water, cold fruit juice, or soda. After a dose is mixed with such beverages, it is stable at room temperature for four hours.
     
  • Be sure to take rivastigmine at the same times each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Rivastigmine will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to rivastigmine dosing, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;