Rivastigmine

RIVASTIGMINE- rivastigmine patch, extended release
Northstar Rx LLC.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Alzheimer’s Disease

Rivastigmine transdermal system is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (AD). Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s disease.

1.2 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

Rivastigmine transdermal system is indicated for the treatment of mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PDD).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Recommended Dosing

Initial Dose

Initiate treatment with one 4.6 mg/24 hours rivastigmine transdermal system applied to the skin once daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

Dose Titration

Increase the dose only after a minimum of 4 weeks at the previous dose, and only if the previous dose has been tolerated. For mild-to-moderate AD and PDD patients, continue the effective dose of 9.5 mg/24 hours for as long as therapeutic benefit persists. Patients can then be increased to the maximum effective dose of 13.3 mg/24 hours dose. For patients with severe AD, 13.3 mg/24 hours is the effective dose. Doses higher than 13.3 mg/24 hours confer no appreciable additional benefit, and are associated with an increase in the incidence of adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

The effective dosage of rivastigmine transdermal system is 9.5 mg/24 hours or 13.3 mg/24 hours administered once per day; replace with a new transdermal system every 24 hours.

Severe Alzheimer’s Disease

The effective dosage of rivastigmine transdermal system in patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease is 13.3 mg/24 hours administered once per day; replace with a new transdermal system every 24 hours.

Interruption of Treatment

If dosing is interrupted for 3 days or fewer, restart treatment with the same or lower strength rivastigmine transdermal system. If dosing is interrupted for more than 3 days, restart treatment with the 4.6 mg/24 hours rivastigmine transdermal system and titrate as described above.

2.2 Dosing in Specific Populations

Dosing Modifications in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Consider using the 4.6 mg/24 hours rivastigmine transdermal system as both the initial and maintenance dose in patients with mild (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6) to moderate (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9) hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Dosing Modifications in Patients with Low Body Weight

Carefully titrate and monitor patients with low body weight (less than 50 kg) for toxicities (e.g., excessive nausea, vomiting), and consider reducing the maintenance dose to the 4.6 mg/24 hours rivastigmine transdermal system if such toxicities develop.

2.3 Switching to Rivastigmine Transdermal System from Rivastigmine Capsules or Rivastigmine Oral Solution

Patients treated with rivastigmine capsules or oral solution may be switched to rivastigmine transdermal system as follows:

  • A patient who is on a total daily dose of less than 6 mg of oral rivastigmine can be switched to the 4.6 mg/24 hours rivastigmine transdermal system.
  • A patient who is on a total daily dose of 6 mg to 12 mg of oral rivastigmine can be switched to the 9.5 mg/24 hours rivastigmine transdermal system.

Instruct patients or caregivers to apply the first transdermal system on the day following the last oral dose.

2.4 Important Administration Instructions

Rivastigmine transdermal system is for transdermal use on intact skin.

a) Do not use the transdermal system if the pouch seal is broken or the transdermal system is cut, damaged, or changed in any way.

b) Apply the rivastigmine transdermal system once a day.

  • Press down firmly for 30 seconds until the edges stick well when applying to clean, dry, hairless, intact healthy skin in a place that will not be rubbed against by tight clothing.
  • Use the upper or lower back as the site of application because the transdermal system is less likely to be removed by the patient. If sites on the back are not accessible, apply the transdermal system to the upper arm or chest.
  • Do not apply to a skin area where cream, lotion, or powder has recently been applied.

c) Do not apply to skin that is red, irritated, or cut.

d) Replace the rivastigmine transdermal system with a new transdermal system every 24 hours. Instruct patients to only wear 1 transdermal system at a time (remove the previous day’s transdermal system before applying a new transdermal system) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Overdosage (10)]. If a transdermal system falls off or if a dose is missed, apply a new transdermal system immediately and then replace this transdermal system the following day at the usual application time.

e) Change the site of transdermal system application daily to minimize potential irritation, although a new transdermal system can be applied to the same general anatomic site (e.g., another spot on the upper back) on consecutive days. Do not apply a new transdermal system to the same location for at least 14 days.

f) May wear the transdermal system during bathing and in hot weather. But avoid long exposure to external heat sources (excessive sunlight, saunas, solariums).

g) Place used transdermal systems in the previously saved pouch and discard in the trash, away from pets or children.

h) Wash hands with soap and water after removing the transdermal system. In case of contact with eyes or if the eyes become red after handling the transdermal system, rinse immediately with plenty of water, and seek medical advice if symptoms do not resolve.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Rivastigmine transdermal system is available in 3 strengths. Each transdermal system has a beige backing layer labeled as either:

  • Rivastigmine transdermal system 4.6 mg/24 hours, “Rivastigmine Transdermal System 4.6 mg/24 hours”
  • Rivastigmine transdermal system 9.5 mg/24 hours, “Rivastigmine Transdermal System 9.5 mg/24 hours”
  • Rivastigmine transdermal system 13.3 mg/24 hours, “Rivastigmine Transdermal System 13.3 mg/24 hours”

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Rivastigmine transdermal system is contraindicated in patients with:

  • known hypersensitivity to rivastigmine, other carbamate derivatives, or other components of the formulation [see Description (11)].
  • previous history of application site reactions with rivastigmine transdermal system suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Isolated cases of generalized skin reactions have been described in postmarketing experience [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Medication Errors Resulting in Overdose

Medication errors with rivastigmine transdermal system have resulted in serious adverse reactions; some cases have required hospitalization, and rarely, led to death. The majority of medication errors have involved not removing the old transdermal system when putting on a new one and the use of multiple transdermal systems at one time.

Instruct patients and their caregivers on important administration instructions for rivastigmine transdermal system. [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

5.2 Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions

Rivastigmine transdermal system can cause gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including significant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia/decreased appetite, and weight loss. Dehydration may result from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea and can be associated with serious outcomes. The incidence and severity of these reactions are dose-related [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. For this reason, initiate treatment with rivastigmine transdermal system at a dose of 4.6 mg/24 hours and titrate to a dose of 9.5 mg/24 hours and then to a dose of 13.3 mg/24 hours, if appropriate [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

If treatment is interrupted for more than 3 days because of intolerance, reinitiate rivastigmine transdermal system with the 4.6 mg/24 hours dose to reduce the possibility of severe vomiting and its potentially serious sequelae. A postmarketing report described a case of severe vomiting with esophageal rupture following inappropriate reinitiation of treatment of an oral formulation of rivastigmine without retitration after 8 weeks of treatment interruption.

Inform caregivers to monitor for gastrointestinal adverse reactions and to inform the physician if they occur. It is critical to inform caregivers that if therapy has been interrupted for more than 3 days because of intolerance, the next dose should not be administered without contacting the physician regarding proper retitration.

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