Rivastigmine Side Effects

Brand Names: Exelon

Please note - some side effects for Rivastigmine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Rivastigmine - for the Consumer

Rivastigmine

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Rivastigmine:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; decreased urination; depression; fainting; fever; new or worsening tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; new or worsening trouble walking; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, tiredness, or weakness; slow or irregular heartbeat.

Rivastigmine Patch

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Rivastigmine Patch:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset or pain; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; decreased urination; fainting; fever; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression); new or worsening tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; new or worsening trouble walking; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, tiredness, or weakness; severe or persistent stomach pain or vomiting; slow or irregular heartbeat; slurred speech.

Rivastigmine Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Rivastigmine Solution:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; decreased urination; depression; fainting; fever; new or worsening tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; new or worsening trouble walking; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, tiredness, or weakness; slow or irregular heartbeat.

Side Effects by Body System

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal effects including nausea (47%), vomiting (31%), diarrhea (19%), anorexia (17%), abdominal pain (13%), dyspepsia (9%), constipation (5%), flatulence (4%), and eructation (2%) have been reported. There has also been one postmarketing report of severe vomiting with esophageal rupture following inappropriate reinitiation of treatment.

When treatment is interrupted for longer than several days, treatment must be reinitiated with the lowest daily dose to reduce the possibility of severe vomiting and its potentially serious sequelae.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including dizziness (21%), headache (17%), somnolence (5%), tremor (4%), increased sweating (4%), and syncope (3%) have been reported.

General

General side effects including accidental trauma (10%), fatigue (9%), asthenia (6%), malaise (5%), influenza-like symptoms (3%), and decreased weight (3%) have been reported.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects including insomnia (9%), confusion (8%), depression (6%), anxiety (5%), hallucination (4%), and aggressive reaction (3%) have been reported.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported. A case of erythematous macropapular eruption due to rivastigmine therapy has also been reported.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including urinary tract infection (7%) have been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including rhinitis (4%) have been reported.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including hypertension (3%) have been reported. A case of complete atrioventricular block has also been reported.

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