title: Drug profile: transdermal rivastigmine patch in the treatment of Alzheimer disease.
abstract: Cholinesterase inhibitors constitute one of the mainstays of treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD). Gastrointestinal side effects, difficulty accessing therapeutic doses and poor patient compliance have been identified as barriers to effective treatment with these substances. The rivastigmine transdermal patch provides continuous delivery of drug through the skin into the bloodstream, avoiding the fluctuations in plasma concentration associated with oral administration. This pharmacokinetic profile is associated with reduced side effects, resulting in easier access to expected target doses. These benefits, along with other practical advantages of the transdermal patch, may contribute to enhanced patient compliance. Here, we present a review of the current literature on rivastigmine patch, and offer advice based on our own collective clinical experience. Rivastigmine patch provides an efficient option for managing patients with AD, to be considered among the first line therapies for the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. muratemre@superonline.com
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emre
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernabei
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blesa
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Daniëls
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dziadulewicz
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Förstl
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frölich
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gabryelewicz
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindesay
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez-Lage
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monsch
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsolaki
authors.forename: Teus
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Laar
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000068836:Rivastigmine
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine