Medication for Mild-Moderate Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important functions. It starts slowly and become worse over the time. Early symptoms show difficulty in remembering recent events.
Parkinson’s disease includes loss of brain cells that produce a natural chemical dopamine. Early symptoms show tremors, slow movement and problem walking.
Rivastigmine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
How do Rivastigmine works?
Acetylcholine is a natural chemical. This natural chemical present at the nerve ending help to send messages between certain nerve cells. It is necessary for the process of memory, thinking and reasoning. The people with above disease show the lower level of this natural chemical. This affects the functions of the brain.
The above drug binds to the enzyme and inactivates it. This prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine at nerve endings. The increase in the concentration of the natural chemical helps to increase the communication between nerve cells. The action of above drug provides temporary relief from the symptoms of Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease.
How to take Rivastigmine?
Rivastigmine is an oral drug available in various strength.
- Strength: -1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg.
- Adult Dosage: –
- Initial Dose: – 1.5 mg two times in a day.
- Maximum dose: – 12 mg in a day.
- Children Dosage: – Not applicable.
Comments: –
- Your doctor decides the dose depending on the condition and tolerance of the patient.
- Your doctor may increase the dose by 1.5 mg per dose over a period of 2 weeks.
- Take the pill with food.
What are the uses of Rivastigmine?
- It is used in the treatment of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease.
- Treats the symptoms of the Parkinson’s disease.
- Improves the function of nerve cells in the brain.
- Prevents the breakdown of natural chemical acetylcholine. This helps to improve symptoms of above disease.
Increase the level of the above natural chemical.
- Increase in levels helps in the process of memory, thinking, and reasoning.
- Increase efficacy of patient. This allows remaining independent for a longer period.
What are the precautions in taking Rivastigmine?
- Certain medical condition may create complication in using Rivastigmine.
- Ask your doctor if you have/are,
- Allergic to the above drug.
- Breathing or other lung problems.
- Stomach or intestinal problems.
- Heart disease.
- Seizures
- Problems urinating.
- Dental or other upcoming surgery.
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
- The drug may make you feel dizzy. Avoid work that needs to be alert.
- Limit use of alcohol.
- Inform your doctor, the list of medicine you take.
Cost of Rivastigmine (Generic & Brand)
Generic and Brand drug contain same active ingredient as Rivastigmine. They show the same effect. But the Generic drug is cheap as compared to Brand ones. Brand makers spend a huge amount on research and development. Other cost includes packing, pricing, and marketing.
Generic medicines do not include these expenditures.
- Cost of Generic Rivastigmine.
Quantity Strength Price price per unit
30 pills 1.5 mg $ 17 $ 0.57
30 pills 3 mg $ 21 $ 0.7
30 pills 4.5 mg $ 25 $ 0.83
- Cost of Brand Exelon.
Quantity Strength price Price per unit
56 pills 1.5 mg $ 240.77 $ 3.99
56 pills 3 mg $ 276.96 $ 4.82
30 pills 4.5 mg $ 113.14 $3.77