Generic Exelon

Exelon is a brand name for the generic drug rivastigmine. It is used to treat mild to moderate dementia in Alzheimer’s patients and those with Parkinson’s disease. It can be given in a capsule or a liquid, and a new Exelon patch was recently approved in July of 2007. Exelon works by preventing the breakdown of a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which is necessary for thinking and memory functions, and which breaks down too fast in Alzheimer’s patients, causing the dementia so characteristic of the disease. It is also the cause of dementia in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease. Exelon can improve memory, awareness, and the level of functioning in daily activities.

Before you take Exelon, you should tell your doctor if you have any kind of heart rhythm disorder. These are disorders in which a person’s heart does not beat at the normal rate; it either beats too slow or too fast. Your should also let your doctor know if you have an enlarged prostate, problems urinating, asthma or other breathing disorders, obstructive pulmonary disease, or epilepsy or other seizure disorder. If you have to have any surgeries, it is important that the surgeon is aware that you are taking Exelon.

As with all medications there can be serious side effects with Exelon. It can affect your thinking and reaction time, so avoid driving or any other activities that require quick mental reaction time. Less serious side effects can include upset stomach or diarrhea, weight loss, weakness or dizziness, swelling of your hands or your feet, an increase in sweating, insomnia, or headache. Other, more serious side effects can include severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, fainting, chest pain, confusion or anxiety, or pain when you urinate. If you have any of the side effects in this latter set, you should contact your doctor immediately. Some studies have shown that taking the full dosage three times a day, rather than the usual twice a day, can help alleviate some of the side effects.

Exelon can also react badly with other medications. Be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking belladonna, clidinium, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, mepenzolate, or many others. It is important always to let your doctor know of any other medication you might be taking, whether it is prescribed or over-the-counter, because there are many different drugs that can interact with Exelon.

Exelon belongs to pregnancy category B, which means that there is no indication that it can be harmful to a pregnant woman or her developing fetus. However, it is best to let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is also not known whether Exelon is transmitted into breast milk, so nursing women should also discuss it with their doctors before beginning therapy with Exelon. It is also not known whether Exelon is safe or effective for any disease suffered by children, so Exelon is not recommended for pediatric use.