Rivastigmine and Irritability: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2011

Rivastigmine for Parkinson's Disease "My mother has been on this medication for 2 1/2 weeks. With each day she has become more and more agitated, confused, confrontational, and delusional. I am taking her off of it. It may be that this medicine is better suited for Alzheimer's patients than Parkinson's patients."

• 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!!!!!"

• ELL...
• February 26, 2019

For Alzheimer's Disease "75-year-old mom was put on the Exelon patch initial dose February 2018. Cognitively she remained stable with some decline starting 7 months later and agitation. No doctor had mentioned her dose should be increased to the next level until the end of October 2018. At this time she was declining cognitively and more and more aggressive towards my father. This aggression and agitation became worse after increasing the dose. But the doctor felt it was best to continue. Finally, my dad had reached the end of his wire last week (February 22nd, 2019). Her behavior was so difficult to deal with-spitting, swearing, punching, uncontrollable at the stores i.e., wanting to buy so much. He stopped applying the patch 4 days ago, and wow, she is calmer, easier to direct, and foul language has stopped. I'm hoping this lasts and isn't temporary. Not sure at this point if she should go back to the lower dose patch or try Aricept or just leave her as is now with 12.5 Seroquel twice a day and Risperidone 0.25 mg twice a day."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "Mom started the rivastigmine at a dose of 4.6, and in 24 hours she had improved significantly. She napped less, laughed, and actually recalled my brother's phone number. However, after 4 weeks she went up to a 9 mg patch, and in a few days I noticed she wasn't as spry. A bit agitated, napping more, unsteady, it's like she reverted to no treatment at all. See what the doctor suggests."

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2011

For Alzheimer's Disease "My husband has had seven months of extra added quality of life following the Rivastigmine patch that was prescribed back in March. Unfortunately, the effect appears to have been lost over the past six weeks. I am now waiting for advice on how to discontinue the use of the patch and fear the return of confusion, restlessness, agitation due to awareness of the memory problem."

• 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)"

• 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)"