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Treatment

Rivastigmine (Exelon)

Quick answer

A cholinesterase inhibitor available as a skin patch, often used in Lewy body and Parkinson's disease dementia.

Author:
Illinois Dementia Guide editorial team
Medically reviewed by:
Amarish Dave, DO, Board Certified Neurologist
Published:
August 2026
Last medically reviewed:
August 2026
Geographic relevance:
Illinois, United States

Overview

The patch formulation reduces stomach side effects and simplifies dosing for people who resist pills.

Practical points

  • Patch is applied once daily and rotated between sites
  • Approved for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease dementia
  • Often used in Lewy body dementia

Common side effects

  • Nausea and vomiting, more with capsules
  • Skin irritation at the patch site
  • Appetite and weight loss

Cautions

  • Never apply more than one patch at a time
  • Remove the old patch before applying a new one

Medically reviewed. Last reviewed August 2026. This page is educational information, not individualized medical advice.

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