Rivastigmine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 10, 2024.

Applies to rivastigmine: oral capsule.

Other dosage forms:

• transdermal patch extended release

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Rivastigmine may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, or weight loss. Tell your doctor if any of these problems are severe, because they could cause other health problems such as dehydration.

If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop taking the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Before you have any kind of surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine. Taking rivastigmine together with medicines that are sometimes used during surgery or dental or emergency treatments may increase the effects of these medicines.

Rivastigmine may cause some people to become dizzy, clumsy, or unsteady. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Do not Stop taking rivastigmine or decrease your dose without first checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly or decreasing the dose by a large amount may cause mental or behavior changes.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of rivastigmine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of rivastigmine may lead to convulsions (seizures) or shock. Some signs of shock are large pupils, irregular breathing, and fast weak pulse. Other signs of an overdose are severe nausea and vomiting, increasing muscle weakness, greatly increased sweating, and greatly increased watering of the mouth.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.

Serious side effects of rivastigmine

Along with its needed effects, rivastigmine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rivastigmine:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking rivastigmine:

Symptoms of overdose

• chest pain or discomfort
• increased sweating
• increased watering of the mouth
• irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• nausea (severe)
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• seizures
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness
• vomiting (severe)

Other side effects of rivastigmine

Some side effects of rivastigmine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rivastigmine: oral capsule, oral solution, transdermal film extended release.

Dermatologic adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperhidrosis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome disseminated allergic dermatitis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, bradycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angina pectoris
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrhythmia (e.g., bradycardia, atrioventricular block, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia)
• Frequency not reported: Sick sinus syndrome^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (47%), vomiting (31%)diarrhea (19%), abdominal pain (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, salivary hypersecretion, upper abdominal pain, flatulence, eructation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): GI hemorrhage, pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Some cases of severe vomiting were associated with esophageal rupture^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary incontinence
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Elevated liver function tests, hepatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Tremor (23%), dizziness (21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, bradykinesia, dyskinesia, cogwheel rigidity, hypokinesia, vertigo, psychomotor hyperactivity, gait disturbance, Parkinson gait, headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope, dystonia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Seizures^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, confusion, depression, anxiety, hallucination, agitation, restlessness, nightmares^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Application site erythema, application site irritation (e.g., pruritus, rash)
• Postmarketing reports: Application site hypersensitivity, urticaria, blister, allergic dermatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite
• Frequency not reported: Dehydration^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, weight loss, fatigue, malaise, fall^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Rivastigmine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer