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What is the most important information I should know about rivastigmine?

Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

Stop using rivastigmine and call your doctor at once if the medicine causes you to have stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important to use rivastigmine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

If you stop taking rivastigmine for any reason, do not restart the medication without talking to your doctor first. You may need to restart treatment with a lower dose.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking rivastigmine.

Rivastigmine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What is rivastigmine?

Rivastigmine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning.

Rivastigmine is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Rivastigmine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rivastigmine?

Before taking rivastigmine, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats);

• an enlarged prostate or urination problems;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take rivastigmine.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether rivastigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.