Rivastigmine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

For Parkinson's Disease "The neurologist started my husband on this pill, rivastigmine, 6 weeks ago, starting with one 1.5 mg pill at night. Two weeks later, two pills, and then three pills after 4 weeks. He never got to the three-pill level. After he started taking them, he progressively got worse and worse: agitation, hallucinations (which he never had before), not sleeping, crazy dreams, and talking all night. I didn’t connect this with the new pills immediately, I should have. After 5 weeks and him getting more and more intimidating, I finally thought of these pills. Called the doctor, and we went back to one pill for one night and then off completely. It took two days, but finally, he started to settle down. Now he is fine, 10 days later. My suggestion? Never take this pill!!!!!"

• PA ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2023

For Alzheimer's Disease "We tried the patch, 4.6 mg, for 2 months on our 81-year-old mother. For the first few weeks, there seemed to be about a 2 percent improvement in her mood during the day. She was still argumentative at night. However, she quickly developed almost all of the side effects, including dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, and her delusions increased. She became extremely hostile at night and consistently tried to leave. We had to block the doors at night. Once, she came at me with her hairbrush. At no time did her memory or clarity improve. We are furious with the doctor who prescribed this medication. It cost us $100 per month and did nothing but make her worse! You are supposed to change the application site every 24 hours and not put it there again for 2 weeks. How is someone with dementia going to remember where they put it last and not repeat that area for 2 weeks? If we hadn't brought her to stay with us, who knows what would have happened to her!"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2021

For Parkinson's Disease "After 4 days with the patch, mother with advanced Parkinson's was extremely weak and fatigued with insomnia. Dr. suggested stopping for a week, then try half a patch. After 6 days, agitation, irritability, with confusion and paranoia. No more patches and over $246 down the drain. (generic cost)"