Rivastigmine Oral Solution
Generic name: Rivastigmine Oral Solution [ ri-va-STIG-meen ]
Brand name: Exelon
Drug class: Cholinesterase inhibitors
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 30, 2024.
Uses of Rivastigmine Oral Solution:
- It is used to treat dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease.
- It is used to treat dementia in people with Parkinson's disease.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Rivastigmine Oral Solution?
- If you have an allergy to rivastigmine or any other part of rivastigmine oral solution.
- If you are allergic to rivastigmine oral solution; any part of rivastigmine oral solution; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have had a skin reaction to rivastigmine oral solution or another form of rivastigmine oral solution in the past.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, esmolol, labetalol, metoclopramide, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, or timolol.
- If you take other drugs called anticholinergics, like ipratropium or oxybutynin. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your drugs are anticholinergic.
- If the patient is a child. Do not give rivastigmine oral solution to a child.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with rivastigmine oral solution.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take rivastigmine oral solution with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Rivastigmine Oral Solution?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take rivastigmine oral solution. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how rivastigmine oral solution affects you.
- Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
- It is common to have diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, throwing up, or weight loss with rivastigmine oral solution. Long-term diarrhea or throwing up may lead to dehydration. Call your doctor if any of these side effects are very bad, bother you, or do not go away. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of dehydration like dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
How is this medicine (Rivastigmine Oral Solution) best taken?
Use rivastigmine oral solution as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with meals.
- Take rivastigmine oral solution at the same time of day.
- Keep taking rivastigmine oral solution as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with rivastigmine oral solution.
- Take alone or mix with water, juice, or soda before drinking.
- If you mix a dose in water, cold fruit juice, or soda, you may keep the mixed dose at room temperature for up to 4 hours before taking it.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it, with a meal.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- If you miss taking rivastigmine oral solution for a few days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
- Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.
- Shakiness, trouble moving around, or stiffness.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Seizures.
- Feeling confused.
- Low mood (depression).
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
- Slow heartbeat.
- Trouble passing urine.
- Skin irritation.
- Falls.
Related/similar drugs
Leqembi, donepezil, memantine, ropinirole, benztropine, pramipexole, Aricept, amantadine, Namenda, rivastigmine
What are some other side effects of Rivastigmine Oral Solution?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Not hungry.
- Weight loss.
- Stomach pain or diarrhea.
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Headache.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Anxiety.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Rivastigmine Oral Solution?
- Store at room temperature.
- Store upright with the cap on.
- Do not freeze.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about rivastigmine oral solution, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
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- Drug class: cholinesterase inhibitors
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Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.