It is very emotional to see an elderly person like our mother, father, grandmother, or aunt gradually forgetting everything and seeing their behavior change. Especially, this memory loss caused by Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, that is, dementia, is a challenge for everyone in the family. So, at times like these, there are medications that doctors prescribe to control the symptoms and give the patient some relief. One such medication is Rivastigmine. In this article, we will talk about this Rivastigmine oral solution.
Simply put, what is Rivastigmine?
Rivastigmine is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate dementia . This dementia can be caused by Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.
Think about it, there are chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in our brain that help carry information around. In these conditions, some of these chemicals are reduced. Rivastigmine works by increasing the levels of these important chemicals in the brain, helping to maintain good memory, attention, and thinking skills for a while.
The most important thing is that this is not a cure for the disease. However, this medicine can control the symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life to some extent.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before giving your loved one Rivastigmine, 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:
| Health status | Details to inform the doctor |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | If you have had a previous heart attack, if your heartbeat is irregular or very slow. |
| Diseases of the stomach and intestines | If you have stomach ulcers, gastritis, or a history of stomach bleeding. |
| Respiratory diseases | If you have lung diseases like asthma. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If there is any problem with kidney or liver function. |
| Other medical conditions | If you have seizures or difficulty urinating. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to rivastigmine or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How exactly do you give this medicine?
Since this is a liquid medicine, it is very important to measure the correct dose accurately.
1. Use the correct measuring device: Use only the oral syringe or measuring cup that comes with the medicine. Never measure medicine with household teaspoons or soup spoons. They are not accurate.
2. Give with a meal: Giving this medicine with a meal can reduce side effects such as stomach upset and nausea.
3. If mixing: If the patient has difficulty swallowing the medicine straight, you can mix it with a little water, fruit juice, or soda. But do not mix it with other liquids. If mixing, stir well and have the patient drink the entire mixture .
4. Give the correct dose at the correct time: Do not give the medicine more often than the doctor has prescribed. Also, do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without the doctor's advice.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if I give too much medicine?
If you suspect that the patient has been given too much medicine, immediately take them to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU). Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Medical tests: Check the patient's condition and be sure to take him to the clinic on the days prescribed by the doctor. If the symptoms do not improve or worsen, tell the doctor .
- Drowsiness and dizziness: Some people may feel a little drowsy or dizzy when taking this medication. Until you know exactly how this affects the patient's body, do not let them do anything that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating machinery.
- Other medications: Give your doctor a complete list of any other medications you are taking (including Western medications, Sinhala medications, vitamins, and supplements). Some medications may interact with Rivastigmine. For example, some allergy medications (antihistamines), stomach pain medications, and muscle relaxants used before surgery may interact.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like all medicines, Rivastigmine can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common. It is important to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergy | Skin irritation, itching, rash, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Heart problems | Very slow heartbeat, feeling of chest pain (palpitations). |
| Nervous system problems | Severe confusion, agitation, uncontrollable shaking, tremors, and falls. |
| Digestive system problems | Severe stomach pain, excessive vomiting, severe diarrhea, weight loss. |
| Skin problems | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Headache | Appetite |
| Stomach ache, discomfort | Mild diarrhea (especially when first starting the medication) |
| Nausea | |
How to store the medicine?
- Keep it out of the reach of children.
- Store in a dry place below 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). Never store in the freezer.
- Place the bottle in the hand.
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Rivastigmine is a medicine that helps control the symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, but it does not cure the disease.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all of the patient's health information and other medications they are taking.
- Use the special syringe that comes with the medicine to measure it. Give the medicine with a meal.
- If you experience serious side effects (such as facial swelling, severe vomiting, or a slow heartbeat), seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid changing the dosage or stopping the medication without your doctor's advice.
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