Rivastigmine (Cont.)

Effects of Rivastigmine

Rivastigmine has been evaluated for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementia in several different studies. These studies showed that people taking the drug often experience an improvement in cognitive function ("thinking" functions, such as memory, language, and social interaction), compared to people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients).
 

When and How to Take Rivastigmine

General considerations for when and how to take 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.
     

Dosing Information for Rivastigmine

The dose of rivastigmine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How you respond to rivastigmine
  • Other medications you may take
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Rivastigmine Dosing for more information.)
 
(Rivastigmine Continued: Page 4)

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