Rivastigmine

What it is used for

• Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (capsules, liquid or patches)
• Mild to moderate dementia in Parkinson's disease (capsules or liquid)

Read our guides:

• Dementia
• Parkinson's disease

Off-label uses

Doctors sometimes prescribe a medicine for a condition it is not officially licensed for. This is called off-label use. It is legal and common when there is good evidence it helps, and your doctor should explain why they are suggesting it.

• Dementia with Lewy bodies

How it works

Rivastigmine stops enzymes from breaking down acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for memory and thinking, so more of it is available in the brain.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Rivastigmine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many are mild and ease after the first few weeks.

Common side effects

• feeling sick or being sick
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• dizziness
• diarrhoea
• skin redness or itching under patches

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you or do not go away.

Serious side effects

These are rare. Call 111 or contact your doctor straight away if you get:

• severe vomiting, which can lead to dehydration
• a slow heartbeat or fainting
• black or bloody poo

Call 999 if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.

You can report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the medicines regulator.

Stopping and withdrawal

Important safety information

• Remove the old patch before putting on a new one. Using more than one patch by mistake can cause a dangerous overdose.
• Change patch sites each day.

Questions about your medicine?

A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines for free, without an appointment. You can also ask your GP for a medication review. Check if you can get free prescriptions.