Let's learn about the patch used for Alzheimer's disease (Donepezil Patches)

Does your mother, father, or a friend have Alzheimer's disease? We all know the sad reality of people gradually losing their memory and having difficulty performing daily tasks. To help such patients preserve their memory, improve their concentration, and carry out daily tasks more easily, doctors sometimes prescribe a special patch that is applied to the skin. Today we are talking about this patch that contains a drug called Donepezil.

Simply put, what is this Donepezil patch?

This is a medicine that is given to treat memory loss and dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Strictly speaking, this is not a medicine that completely cures the disease. However, it controls the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, improving the patient's attention, memory, and ability to perform daily tasks . This gives great relief to the patient as well as to you who care for him. This medicine can also be prescribed by the doctor for other medical conditions.

Things you need to tell your doctor before using this patch

Before your patient uses this patch, it is very important to give the doctor a complete description of their health condition. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially:

• Heart disease: If you have had a previous heart attack, have a slow heart rate, or have an irregular heartbeat.
• Respiratory diseases: If you have lung diseases like asthma or COPD.
• Liver disease: If you have any liver-related disease.
• Seizures: If you have had seizures before.
• Stomach ulcers: If you have stomach inflammation, gastritis, or stomach ulcers.
• Difficulty urinating: If you have any difficulty or medical condition while urinating.
• Allergies: If you have an allergy to donepezil or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• Pregnancy: If the patient is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or is a breastfeeding mother.

Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is appropriate or not.

How exactly do I use this patch?

This is very simple, but it has to be done correctly. It is only used by applying it to the skin.

1. Preparation: The patch is in the fridge. Take one packet and let it sit for a while until it reaches room temperature. Only then should you break the packet.

2. Choosing a place: Choose a clean, dry, hairless area of ​​skin to apply the patch. The best places to apply the patch are the sides of the back, the upper buttocks, or the upper outer thighs . Never apply the patch to areas with wounds, burns, cuts, or redness. Also, do not apply the patch to areas with shaved hair.

3. Apply the patch: Remove the patch from the packet. Peel off the protective strip on the back, place the adhesive side on your skin, and press firmly with your palm for about 30 seconds. Then wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

4. Most importantly: Never cut the patch or apply more than one patch at a time. Always remove the old one before applying a new one.

5. Changing the location: Do not stick the patch in the same place every day. Doing so can cause redness and itching. So stick it in a different place every day. You should wait at least 14 days before sticking a patch in the same place again.

6. If the patch falls off: If the patch falls off prematurely, apply a new one to a different spot. Apply the next patch after 7 days.

Things to be especially careful about when using the patch

This patch is very sensitive to body temperature, so be aware of these points.

Therefore, avoid these things:

• Taking a hot bath.
• Exposure to sunlight (sunbathing).
• Using saunas and hot tubs.
• Placing heating pads, electric blankets, and hairdryers near the patch.

If the patient develops a fever, notify your doctor immediately.

Also, this medicine may make some people feel dizzy or drowsy . Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects your body. To avoid dizziness, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position, rather than getting up suddenly.

What are the possible side effects of the medicine?

Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.

What if it is used too much by mistake?

If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, for example if you have applied more than one patch, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or take the patient to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not delay this.

How do you store and dispose of the medicine?

Keep this patch out of reach of children and pets .

• Store in the fridge , but do not put in the freezer.
• Keep in the original box until use.
• Do not use expired patches. Dispose of them properly. You can consult your doctor about this.

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