IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION
V
EXEIOHPATCH
(rivastigmirie transdermal system)
E C S - ‘ e l - o n
EXELON PATCH IS FOR SKIN USE ONLY.
Read this Patient Information leaflet before you
start using Exelon Patch and each time you get a
refill. There may be new information. This informa-
tion does not take the place of talking to your
healthcare provider about your medical condition or
your treatment. If you do not understand the infor-
mation, or have any questions about Exelon Patch,
talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
WHAT IS EXELON PATCH?
Exelon Patch is a prescription medicine used to treat:
• mild to moderate memory problems (dementia)
associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
• mild to moderate memory problems (dementia)
associated with Parkinson’s disease.
It is not known if Exelon Patch is safe or effective
in children.
WHO SHOULD NOT USE EXELON PATCH?
Do not use Exelon Patch if you are allergic to
rivastigmine, carbamate derivatives, or any of the
ingredients in Exelon Patch. Ask your healthcare
provider if you are not sure.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTHCARE
PROVIDER BEFORE USING EXELON PATCH?
Before you use Exelon Patch, tell your healthcare
provider if you:
• have or ever had a stomach ulcer
• are planning to have surgery
• have or ever had problems with your heart
• have problems passing urine
• have or ever had seizures
• have problems with movement (tremors)
• have asthma or breathing problems
• have a loss of appetite or are losing weight
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is
not known if Exelon Patch will harm your unborn
baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not
known if Exelon Patch passes into your breast
milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the
best way to feed your baby if you use Exelon
Patch.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the
medicines you take, including prescription and
non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:
• a medicine used to treat inflammation
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• other medicines used to treat Alzheimer’s
or Parkinson’s disease
• an anticholinergic medicine, such as an allergy
or cold medicine, a medicine to treat bladder or
bowel spasms, or certain asthma medicines
Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
if your medicine is one listed above. Know the
medicines you take.
HOW SHOULD I USE EXELON PATCH?
• Use Exelon Patch exactly as your healthcare
provider tells you to use it.
• Wear only 1 Exelon Patch at a time.
• Exelon Patch is for skin use only.
• Do not apply Exelon Patch to skin that is red,
irritated, or has cuts.
• Change your Exelon Patch every 24 hours
at the same time of day.
• Change your application site every day to
avoid skin irritation. You can use the same
area, but do not use the same spot for at least
14 days after your last application.
• If your Exelon Patch falls off, put on another
patch right away and then replace the new
patch the next day at the same time as usual.
If you miss a dose or forget to change your
Exelon Patch, apply your next Exelon Patch as
soon as you remember. Do not apply 2 Exelon
Patches to make up for the missed dose.
• If you miss more than three days of applying
Exelon Patch, call your healthcare provider
before putting on another patch.
• You must remove Exelon Patch from
the previous day
before
applying a new one.
• Having more than one patch on your body
at the same time can cause you to get too
much Exelon, which can cause serious
side effects; some cases have required
hospitalization, and rarely, led to death.
If you accidentally use more than one
Exelon Patch at a time, remove them all
and call your healthcare provider. If you are
unable to reach your healthcare provider,
contact your local Poison Control Center
or go to the nearest hospital emergency
room right away.
WHAT SHOULD I AVOID WHILE USING
EXELON PATCH?
• Do not touch your eyes after you
touch the Exelon Patch.
• Exelon Patch can cause drowsiness,
dizziness, weakness, or fainting. Do not
drive, operate heavy machinery, or do
other dangerous activities until you know
how Exelon Patch affects you.
• Avoid exposure to external heat sources such
as excessive sunlight, saunas, or solariums for
long periods of time.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE
SIDE EFFECTS OF EXELON PATCH?
Exelon Patch may cause serious
side effects including:
• Stomach or bowel (intestinal) problems,
including:
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• bleeding in your stomach (ulcers)
V V
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE
SIDE EFFECTS OF EXELON
PATCH?
(continued)
• heart problems
• seizures
• problems with movement
(tremors)
The most common side effects
of Exelon Patch include:
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
Tell your healthcare provider if you
have any side effect that bothers
you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side
effects of Exelon Patch. For more
information, ask your healthcare
provider or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice
about side effects. You may report
side effects to the FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE
OF EXELON PATCH.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed
for purposes other than those listed
in the Patient Information leaflet.
Do not use Exelon Patch for a
condition for which it was not
prescribed. Do not give Exelon
Patch to other people, even if they
have the same symptoms you have.
It may harm them.
This Patient Information leaflet
summarizes the most important
information about Exelon Patch.
If you would like more information,
talk with your healthcare provider.
You can ask your pharmacist or
healthcare provider for information
about Exelon Patch that is written
for health professionals.
NOVARTIS
©2011 Novartis.
Printed in USA 1/11
EXP-1036901
