Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library rivastigmine transdermal

rivastigmine transdermal

Pronunciation: riv a STIG meen

Brand: Exelon

What is the most important information I should know about rivastigmine transdermal?

What is the most important information I should know about rivastigmine transdermal?

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had severe redness, itching, or skin irritation where a rivastigmine transdermal skin patch was worn.

 What is rivastigmine transdermal?

What is rivastigmine transdermal?

Rivastigmine transdermal (skin patch) is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Rivastigmine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical that is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning. People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical.

Rivastigmine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using rivastigmine transdermal?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using rivastigmine transdermal?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to rivastigmine or similar medicines, such as felbamate, meprobamate, or carisoprodol.

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had severe redness, itching, or skin irritation where a rivastigmine transdermal skin patch was worn.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • an ulcer or stomach bleeding;
  • a seizure;
  • heart problems;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • urination problems; or
  • asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

 How should I use rivastigmine transdermal?

How should I use rivastigmine transdermal?

Do not take rivastigmine capsules or oral liquid at the same time you are wearing the skin patch.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. The transdermal patch is for use only on the skin.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Apply the patch to clean, dry, and hairless skin. Do not use on broken or irritated skin. Press the patch firmly into place for about 30 seconds to make sure it sticks. You may leave the patch on while bathing, showering, or swimming.

Remove the skin patch after 24 hours and replace it with a new one. Always remove an old patch before putting on a new one.

Do not wear more than one rivastigmine patch at a time. Using extra skin patches will not make the medication more effective.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the day. Change the patch at your usual time the next day.

Choose a different place on your body to wear the patch each time you put on a new one. Do not use the same skin area twice within 14 days.

Always wash your hands after removing the patch.

After removing a patch, fold it in half so it sticks together and throw it away in a place where children or pets cannot get to it. A used skin patch could be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally chews on the patch. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the patches as directed.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine.

If you stop using rivastigmine for any reason, do not restart the medicine without talking to your doctor first. You may need to start with a lower dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each patch in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it.

 What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget to change the skin patch, remove it and apply a new one as soon as you remember. Do not wear extra patches to make up a missed dose.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss more than 3 doses of rivastigmine.

What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

 What should I avoid while using rivastigmine transdermal?

What should I avoid while using rivastigmine transdermal?

Avoid placing the patch where it will be rubbed by tight clothing.

Avoid touching your eyes after handling a skin patch.

Do not use lotion, oil, or powder on the skin where you plan to apply a skin patch. The patch may not stick to the skin.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid applying heat to the skin where the patch is worn, because it may increase the amount of medicine your body absorbs. Heat sources include hot tubs, heating pads, heat lamps, saunas, heated water beds, and direct sunlight.

 What are the possible side effects of rivastigmine transdermal?

What are the possible side effects of rivastigmine transdermal?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • itching, redness, swelling, peeling, blistering, or skin sores where the patch is worn;
  • severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea with weight loss;
  • bloody or tarry stools, cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • tremors (uncontrolled shaking), restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
  • seizures (convulsions);
  • painful or difficult urination;
  • severe skin redness, itching, or irritation; or
  • dehydration symptoms --feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache, dizziness;
  • depression, anxiety;
  • tiredness, muscle weakness;
  • stomach pain; or
  • trouble sleeping.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 What other drugs will affect rivastigmine transdermal?

What other drugs will affect rivastigmine transdermal?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness;
  • cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);
  • medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;
  • medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;
  • medicine to treat overactive bladder;
  • bronchodilator asthma medication; or
  • an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect rivastigmine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

 Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about rivastigmine transdermal.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details