title: Transdermal rivastigmine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: current and future directions.
abstract: Despite the fact that the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is exponentially increasing, we have not yet been able to develop a new treatment to modify the course of the disease. This vacuum makes the traditional cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist the only accessible pharmacotherapy options for the treatment of this disease. Among these medications, the only available transdermal patch at this time is the rivastigmine patch. This patch provides significantly lower gastrointestinal adverse effects. A higher tolerability rate provides the option for physicians to continue treatment with higher doses of rivastigmine in advanced stages of AD. Moreover, ease of use, easy-to-follow schedule, less administration time spent by the caregiver result in greater adherent to the treatment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive drug profile for transdermal rivastigmine, to review currently available treatment options, and to try to anticipate future treatment directions for AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Amanatkar
authors.forename: George Thomas
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Grossberg
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D057968:Transdermal Patch; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist; cholinesterase inhibitors; transdermal rivastigmine patch