english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2009 > In the February issue of Prescrire International:Rivastigmine patches

Spotlight: Archives

Every month, the subjects in Prescrire’s Spotlight.

2009 : 1 | 30 | 60 | 90

In the February issue of Prescrire International:
Rivastigmine patches

FREE DOWNLOADRivastigmine patches are marketed for symptomatic treatment of "mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia". However, the patches provide no practical advantages over rivastigmine capsules. It is therefore better to avoid using them.
Full text available for free download.

- Download this article, and see why you should subscribe today.

Abstract

  • In April 2008 a new transdermal patch formulation of rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, was added to the products marketed under the brand name Exelon° (Novartis).
  • The patches are only marketed for symptomatic treatment of "mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia".
  • The capsules and oral solution are also approved for the treatment of dementia in patients with Parkinson’s disease, but they have a negative risk-benefit balance.
  • Rivastigmine, similarly to other cholinesterase inhibitors, has only limited and transient benefits in the treatment of mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer’s disease.