Patient Leaflet Updated 16-Jan-2024 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (UK) Ltd
Rivastigmine 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg hard Capsules
Rivastigmine 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg hard Capsules
Rivastigmine
1. What Rivastigmine is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Rivastigmine
3. How to take Rivastigmine
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Rivastigmine
6. Contents of the pack and other information
The active substance of Rivastigmine Hard Capsules is rivastigmine.
Rivastigmine belongs to a class of substances called cholinesterase inhibitors. In patients with Alzheimer’s dementia or dementia due to Parkinson’s disease, certain nerve cells die in the brain, resulting in low levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (a substance that allows nerve cells to communicate with each other). Rivastigmine works by blocking the enzymes that break down acetylcholine: acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. By blocking these enzymes, Rivastigmine allows levels of acetylcholine to be increased in the brain, helping to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Rivastigmine is used for the treatment of
If these apply to you, tell your doctor and do not take Rivastigmine.
Talk to your doctor before taking Rivastigmine:
If any of these apply to you, your doctor may need to monitor you more closely while you are on this medicine.
If you have not taken Rivastigmine for more than three days, do not take the next dose until you have talked to your doctor.
There is no relevant use of Rivastigmine in the paediatric population in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Rivastigmine should not be given at the same time as other medicines with similar effects to Rivastigmine, Rivastigmine might interfere with anticholinergic medicines (medicines used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, to treat Parkinson’s disease or to prevent travel sickness).
Rivastigmine should not be given at the same time as metoclopramide (a medicine used to relieve or prevent nausea and vomiting). Taking the two medicines together could cause problems such as stiff limbs and trembling hands.
If you have to undergo surgery whilst taking Rivastigmine, you should inform the doctor before you are given any anaesthetics, because Rivastigmine may exaggerate the effects of some muscle relaxants during anaesthesia.
Caution when Rivastigmine is taken together with beta-blockers (medicines such as atenolol used to treat hypertension, angina and other heart conditions). Taking the two medicines together could cause problems such as slowing of the heartbeat (bradycardia) leading to fainting or loss of consciousness.
Caution when Rivastigmine is taken together with other medicines that can affect your heart rhythm or the electrical system of your heart (QT prolongation).
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
If you are pregnant, the benefits of using Rivastigmine must be assessed against the possible effects on your unborn child. Rivastigmine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
You should not breast-feed during treatment with Rivastigmine.
Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive vehicles and use machines safely. Rivastigmine may cause dizziness and somnolence, mainly at the start of treatment or when increasing the dose. If you feel dizzy or sleepy, do not drive, use machines or perform any tasks that require your attention.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
Your doctor will tell you what dose of Rivastigmine to take.
Your doctor will regularly check if the medicine is working for you. Your doctor will also monitor your weight whilst you are taking this medicine.
If you have not taken Rivastigmine for more than three days, do not take the next dose until you have talked to your doctor.
If you accidentally take more Rivastigmine than you should, inform your doctor. You may require medical attention. Some people who have accidentally taken too much Rivastigmine have experienced feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, high blood pressure and hallucinations. Slow heartbeat and fainting may also occur.
If you find you have forgotten to take your dose of Rivastigmine, wait and take the next dose at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
You may have side effects more often when you start taking your medicine or when your dose is increased. Usually the side effects will slowly go away as your body gets used to the medicine.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
These patients have some side effects more often. They also have some additional side effects:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common (may affect up to1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
If you get any of these side effects, contact your doctor as you may need medical assistance.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is rivastigmine.
Rivastigmine 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg Capsules contain 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg rivastigmine as rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate, respectively.
Capsule contents
Hypromellose 5mPa•s, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, colloidal anhydrous, Magnesium Stearate.
Capsule shell
1.5 mg:
Titanium Dioxide (E171, Gelatin, Water, purified, Sodium Laurilsulfate, Tartrazine (E102), Sunset Yellow FCF (E110). Ink used for imprinting: Shellac, Sodium hydroxide, Titanium dioxide (E171), Povidone K16 and Allura red (E129).
3 mg:
Titanium Dioxide (E171), Gelatin, Water, purified, Sodium Laurilsulfate, Brilliant Blue (E133), Ponceau 4R red (E124), Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), Tartrazine (E102). Ink used for imprinting: Shellac, Sodium hydroxide, Titanium dioxide (E171), Povidone K16 and Allura red (E129).
4.5 mg:
Titanium Dioxide (E171), Gelatin, Water, purified, Sodium Laurilsulfate, Iron oxide red (E172), Iron oxide yellow (E172). Ink used for imprinting: Shellac, Sodium hydroxide, Titanium dioxide (E171) and Povidone K16.
Capsule, hard
1.5 mg: White to off-white powder in a hard gelatin capsule (size 2) with yellow opaque cap and yellow opaque body, imprinted “RV, 1.5” on body with red ink.
3 mg: White to off-white powder in a hard gelatin capsule (size 2) with light orange opaque cap and light orange opaque body, imprinted “RV, 3” on body with red ink.
4.5 mg: White to off-white powder in a hard gelatin capsule (size 2) with red opaque cap and red opaque body, imprinted “RV, 4.5” on body with white ink.
Rivastigmine Capsules are available in blister packs of 14, 28, 30, 56 or 112 capsules, hard. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
This leaflet was last revised in 12/2023
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (UK) Limited, 410 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0PE, UK
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