What does it do?
Rivastigmine is used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, such as confusion or memory loss.
How should you take it?
Take rivastigmine regularly as directed with food and a glass of water.
What if you forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Can you take other medicines?
Some medicines available without a prescription may react with rivastigmine including:
- some antihistamines (may be in anti-allergy, anti-nausea and cough/cold medicines)
- anti-nausea medicines (e.g. Buccastem®, Scopoderm®, Sea-legs®)
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Abdominal pain Blood in sputum, vomit or bowel motions Change in heartbeat, chest pain, fainting |
Tell your doctor immediately |
|
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, change of appetite, weight loss Headache, dizziness, tiredness or weakness, tremor Low mood, trouble sleeping Sweating Trouble peeing |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your doctor if you have heart, lung or bladder problems, Parkinson’s disease, or if you have ever had a stomach ulcer or a seizure.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Smoking may change the effect of rivastigmine - discuss with your doctor.
- Rivastigmine may make you dizzy or sleepy and make it dangerous to drive, operate machinery or do other activities that require you to be alert. Limit alcohol intake because it can increase these effects.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. January 2018
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed