Exelon Patch Special Precautions

The incidence and severity of adverse reactions generally increase with increasing doses, particularly at dose changes. If treatment is interrupted for more than three days, it should be re-initiated with 4.6 mg/24 h.
Misuse of the medicinal product and dosing errors resulting in overdose: Misuse of the medicinal product and dosing errors with Exelon transdermal patch have resulted in serious adverse reactions; some cases have required hospitalisation, and rarely led to death (see Overdosage). Most cases of misuse of the medicinal product and dosing errors have involved not removing the old patch when putting on a new one and the use of multiple patches at the same time. Patients and their caregivers must be instructed on important administration instructions for Exelon transdermal patch (see Dosage & Administration).
Gastrointestinal disorders: Gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are dose-related, and may occur when initiating treatment and/or increasing the dose (see Adverse Reactions). These adverse reactions occur more commonly in women. Patients who show signs or symptoms of dehydration resulting from prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea can be managed with intravenous fluids and dose reduction or discontinuation if recognised and treated promptly. Dehydration can be associated with serious outcomes.
Weight loss: Patients with Alzheimer's disease may lose weight whilst taking cholinesterase inhibitors, including rivastigmine. The patient's weight should be monitored during therapy with Exelon Transdermal patches.
Other adverse reactions: Care must be taken when prescribing Exelon transdermal patches: to patients with sick sinus syndrome or conduction defects (sino-atrial block, atrio-ventricular block) (see Adverse Reactions); to patients with active gastric or duodenal ulcers or patients predisposed to these conditions because rivastigmine may cause increased gastric secretions (see Adverse Reactions); to patients predisposed to urinary obstruction and seizures because cholinomimetics may induce or exacerbate these diseases; to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.
Skin application site reactions: Skin application site reactions may occur with rivastigmine patch and are usually mild or moderate in intensity. Patients and caregivers should be instructed accordingly.
These reactions are not in themselves an indication of sensitisation. However, use of rivastigmine patch may lead to allergic contact dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis should be suspected if application site reactions spread beyond the patch size, if there is evidence of a more intense local reaction (e.g. increasing erythema, oedema, papules, vesicles) and if symptoms do not significantly improve within 48 hours after patch removal. In these cases, treatment should be discontinued (see Contraindications).
Patients who develop application site reactions suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis to rivastigmine patch and who still require rivastigmine treatment should only be switched to oral rivastigmine after negative allergy testing and under close medical supervision. It is possible that some patients sensitised to rivastigmine by exposure to rivastigmine patch may not be able to take rivastigmine in any form.
There have been rare post-marketing reports of patients experiencing allergic dermatitis (disseminated) when administered rivastigmine irrespective of the route of administration (oral, transdermal). In these cases, treatment should be discontinued (see Contraindications).
Other warnings and precautions: Rivastigmine may exacerbate or induce extrapyramidal symptoms.
Contact with the eyes should be avoided after handling Exelon transdermal patches (see Pharmacology: Toxicology under Actions). Hands should be washed with soap and water after removing the patch. In case of contact with eyes or if the eyes become red after handling the patch, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice if symptoms do not resolve.
Special populations: Patients with body weight below 50 kg may experience more adverse reactions and may be more likely to discontinue due to adverse reactions (see Dosage & Administration). Carefully titrate and monitor these patients for adverse reactions (e.g. excessive nausea or vomiting) and consider reducing the maintenance dose to the 4.6 mg/24 h transdermal patch if such adverse reactions develop.
Hepatic impairment: Patients with clinically significant hepatic impairment might experience more adverse reactions (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions and Dosage & Administration). Consider using the 4.6 mg/24 h transdermal patch both as initial and maximum dose in these patients.
Renal impairment: Patients with clinically significant renal impairment might experience more adverse reactions (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions and Dosage & Administration). Consider using the 4.6 mg/24 h transdermal patch both as initial and maximum dose in these patients.
Effects on ability to drive or and use machines: Alzheimer's disease may cause gradual impairment of driving performance or compromise the ability to use machines. Furthermore, rivastigmine may induce syncope or delirium. As a consequence, rivastigmine has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Therefore, in patients with dementia treated with rivastigmine, the ability to continue driving or operating complex machines should be routinely evaluated by the treating physician.