EXELON - rivastigmine patch, extended release 
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

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HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
These highlights do not include all the information needed to use Exelon® Patch safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for Exelon Patch.
     
Exelon® Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system)
Initial U.S. Approval: 2000


INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Exelon Patch contains rivastigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the:

- Treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (1.1)

- Treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (1.2)


DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Initial Doseone Exelon Patch 4.6 mg/24 hours once daily (2.1)
Maintenance Doseone Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours once daily (2.1)
A minimum of 4 weeks of treatment and good tolerability with the previous dose should be observed before increasing the dose (2.1). The patch should be replaced with a new one every 24 hours. Only one patch should be worn at a time. The previous day’s patch must be removed before applying a new patch.

DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Exelon Patch is a transdermal system.

Exelon Patch 4.6 mg/24 hours: 5 cm2 size containing 9 mg rivastigmine

Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours: 10 cm2 size containing 18 mg rivastigmine (3)


CONTRAINDICATIONS

Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to rivastigmine, other carbamate derivatives, or other components of the formulation (4.1).


WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Hospitalization, and rarely death have been reported due to the application of multiple patches at the same time (5.1).
  • Gastrointestinal adverse effects including nausea and vomiting can be significant and at times severe at higher than the recommended dose. The dose should be titrated as prescribed and reinitiated at the lowest dose if interrupted for more than a few days (5.2).
  • Weight should be monitored during Exelon Patch therapy (5.2).
  • As with other cholinomimetics, caution is recommended in patients with sick sinus syndrome, conduction defects (sino-atrial block, atrio-ventricular block), gastroduodenal ulcerative conditions (including those predisposed to such conditions by concomitant medications), asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, urinary obstruction, and seizures (5.6).
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms may appear or be exacerbated (particularly tremor) (5.6).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most commonly observed adverse events occurring at a frequency of at least 5% and at a frequency at least greater than placebo with administration of 9.5 mg/24 hours were nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other less common and sometimes serious adverse events have been reported (6).



To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at 1-888-669-6682 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.


DRUG INTERACTIONS

Other cholinomimetic drugs, anticholinergic medications, succinylcholine-type muscle relaxants during anesthesia (7).


USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Caution is advised in patients with body weight below 50 kg (2.1, 5.9, 8.8). The safety of Exelon Patch is not established in pregnant and lactating women (8.2). Not recommended for use in children (8.4).



See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and FDA-approved patient labeling

Revised: 08/2010

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS*
* Sections or subsections omitted from the full prescribing information are not listed

1  INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Alzheimer’s Disease

1.2 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

2  DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Alzheimer’s Disease

2.2 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

3  DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3.1 Dosage Form

3.2 Dosage Strengths

4  CONTRAINDICATIONS

4.1 Hypersensitivity

5  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Medication Errors Resulting in Overdose 

5.2 Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions

5.3 Anesthesia

5.4 Cardiovascular Conditions

5.5 Genitourinary Conditions

5.6 Neurological Conditions

5.7 Pulmonary Conditions

5.8 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

5.9 Special Populations

6  ADVERSE REACTIONS

6.1 Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease

6.2 Other Adverse Events Observed During Clinical Trials

6.3 Post-Introduction Reports

6.4 Additional Adverse Reactions Reported

7  DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 Effect of Exelon on the Metabolism of Other Drugs

7.2 Effect of Other Drugs on the Metabolism of Exelon

7.3 Use with Anticholinergics, Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors

8  USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

8.3 Nursing Mothers

8.4 Pediatric Use

8.5 Geriatric Use

8.6 Hepatic Disease 

8.7 Renal Disease 

8.8 Low Body Weight

8.9 Gender and Race

8.10 Nicotine Use

10  OVERDOSAGE

11  DESCRIPTION

12  CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1 Mechanism of Action

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

13  NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

14  CLINICAL STUDIES

14.1 International 24-Week Study of Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system)

14.2 Study Outcome Measures

14.3 Study Results

16  HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

17  PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

17.1 General

17.2 Importance of Correct Usage

17.3 Discarding Used Patches

17.4 Concomitant Use of Drugs with Cholinergic Action

17.5 Gastrointestinal Adverse Events

17.6 Monitoring the Patient’s Weight

17.7 Missed Doses


FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

1  INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Alzheimer’s Disease

Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.

1.2 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease.

The dementia of Parkinson’s disease is purportedly characterized by impairments in executive function, memory retrieval, and attention in patients with an established diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis of dementia of Parkinson’s disease can be made reliably in patients in whom a progressive dementia syndrome occurs (without the necessity to document the specific deficits described above) at least 2 years after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease has been made, and in whom other causes of dementia have been ruled out.

2  DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Alzheimer’s Disease

Table 1: Patch Size, Drug Content and Nominal Delivery Rate
Rivastigmine Nominal DoseRivastigmine Content per Exelon PatchExelon Patch Size
4.6 mg/24 hours 9 mg  5 cm2
9.5 mg/24 hours18 mg10 cm2

Initial Dose

Treatment is started with Exelon Patch 4.6 mg/24 hours.

After a minimum of 4 weeks of treatment and if well tolerated, this dose should be increased to Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, which is the recommended effective dose.

Maintenance Dose

Dose increases should occur only after a minimum of 4 weeks at the previous dose, and only if the previous dose has been well tolerated. The maximum recommended dose is 9.5 mg/24 hours. Higher doses confer no appreciable additional benefit, and are associated with significant increase in the incidence of adverse events [see Adverse Reactions (6)].

If adverse effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite) cause intolerance during treatment, the patient should be instructed to discontinue treatment for three or more days and then restart at the same or next lower dose level. If treatment is interrupted for longer than three days, treatment should be reinitiated with the lowest daily dose and titrated as described above [also see Warnings and Precautions (5)].

Switching from Capsules or Oral Solution

Patients treated with Exelon capsules or oral solution may be switched to Exelon Patch as follows:

A patient who is on a total daily dose of <6 mg of oral rivastigmine can be switched to Exelon Patch 4.6 mg/24 hours.

A patient who is on a total daily dose of 6-12 mg of oral rivastigmine may be directly switched to Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours.

It is recommended to apply the first patch on the day following the last oral dose.

Method of Administration

Exelon Patch is intended for transdermal use (on intact skin) only. The patch should not be used if the pouch seal is broken or the patch is cut, damaged, or changed in any way.

Exelon Patch should be applied once a day to clean, dry, hairless, intact healthy skin in a place that will not be rubbed against by tight clothing. The upper or lower back is recommended as the site of application because the patch is less likely to be removed by the patient; however, when sites on the back are not accessible the patch can be applied to the upper arm or chest. The patch should not be applied to skin that is red, irritated, or cut. It is recommended that the site of patch application be changed daily to avoid potential irritation, although consecutive patches can be applied to the same anatomic site (e.g., another spot on the upper back).

The patch should be pressed down firmly until the edges stick well. The patch can be used in situations that include bathing and hot weather.

The patch should be replaced with a new one every 24 hours. Only one patch should be worn at a time [see Overdosage (10)].  Do not apply a new patch to that same spot for at least 14 days. The previous day’s patch must be removed before applying a new patch. Patients and caregivers should be instructed accordingly [see Patient Counseling Information (17)].

Used patches should be placed in the previously saved pouch and discarded safely in the trash, away from pets or children.

Incompatibilities

To prevent interference with the adhesive properties of the patch, the patch should not be applied to a skin area where cream, lotion or powder has recently been applied.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Dosage adjustment is not necessary in hepatically impaired patients, as the dose of drug is individually titrated to tolerability.

Renal Impairment

No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with renal impairment.

Low Body Weight

Patients with body weight below 50 kg may experience more adverse events and may be more likely to discontinue due to adverse events. Particular caution should be exercised in titrating these patients above the recommended maintenance dose of Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours.

2.2 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

See Dosage and Administration (2.1).

3  DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

3.1 Dosage Form

Patch.

Each patch is a thin, matrix-type transdermal system consisting of three layers when worn by the patient. A fourth layer, the release liner, covers the adhesive layer prior to use and is removed at the time the system is applied to the skin.

The outside of the backing layer is beige and labeled for each dose as follows:

- “EXELON® PATCH “4.6 mg/24 hours” and “AMCX”

- “EXELON® PATCH “9.5 mg/24 hours” and “BHDI”

3.2 Dosage Strengths

Table 1 summarizes the available strengths and quantity of rivastigmine provided in each patch:

For a full list of excipients, see Description (11).

4  CONTRAINDICATIONS

4.1 Hypersensitivity

Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to rivastigmine, other carbamate derivatives, or other components of the formulation [see Description (11)].

5  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Medication Errors Resulting in Overdose 

Medication errors with Exelon patches have resulted in serious adverse events; some cases have required hospitalization, and rarely, led to death. The majority of medication errors have involved not removing the old patch when putting on a new one and the use of multiple patches at one time. Patients and caregivers must be given proper instruction on the dosage and administration of Exelon patches.

5.2 Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions

At higher than recommended doses, Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) use is associated with significant gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia/decreased appetite and weight loss. For this reason, patients administered Exelon Patch should always be started at a dose of 4.6 mg/24 hours and titrated to the maintenance dose of 9.5 mg/24 hours. If treatment is interrupted for longer than three days, treatment should be reinitiated with the lowest daily dose [see Dosage and Administration (2)] to reduce the possibility of severe vomiting and its potentially serious sequelae (e.g., there has been one post-marketing report of severe vomiting with esophageal rupture following inappropriate reinitiation of treatment with a 4.5-mg dose of an oral formulation after 8 weeks of treatment interruption).

At higher than recommended doses, caregivers should be advised of the high incidence of nausea and vomiting associated with the use of Exelon Patch along with the possibility of anorexia and weight loss. Caregivers should be encouraged to monitor for these adverse events and inform the physician if they occur. It is critical to inform caregivers that if therapy has been interrupted for more than three days, the next dose should not be administered until they have discussed this with the physician.

Nausea and Vomiting

In the controlled clinical trial, 7% of patients treated with Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours developed nausea, as compared to 23% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID and 5% of those who received placebo. In the same clinical trial, 6% of patients treated with Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours developed vomiting, as compared with 17% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID and 3% of those who received placebo. The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment on account of vomiting was 0% of the patients who received Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours as well as 2% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID and 0% of those who received placebo. Vomiting was severe in 0% of patients who received Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours and 1% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID and 0% of those who received placebo.

In the same clinical trial, 21% of patients treated with the higher dose of Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours developed nausea, 19% developed vomiting, and the proportion of these patients who discontinued treatment on account of vomiting was 2%. Vomiting was severe in 1% of patients treated with Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours.

Weight Loss

In the controlled clinical trial, the proportion of patients who had weight loss equal to or greater than 7% of their baseline weight was 8% of those treated with Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, 11% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID and 6% of those who received placebo.

In the same clinical trial, 12% of those treated with 17.4 mg/24 hours had weight loss equal to or greater than 7% of their baseline weight. It is not clear how much of the weight loss was associated with anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and the diarrhea associated with the drug.

Diarrhea

In the controlled clinical trial, 6% of patients treated with Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours developed diarrhea, as compared with 5% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID, 10% of those treated with 17.4 mg/24 hours and 3% of those who received placebo.

Anorexia/Decreased Appetite

In the controlled clinical trial, 3% of patients treated with Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours were recorded as developing decreased appetite or anorexia, as compared with 9% of patients who received the Exelon capsule at doses up to 6 mg BID, 9% of those treated with Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours and 2% of those who received placebo.

Peptic Ulcers/Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Because of their pharmacological action, cholinesterase inhibitors may be expected to increase gastric acid secretion due to increased cholinergic activity. Therefore, patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding, especially those at increased risk for developing ulcers, e.g., those with a history of ulcer disease or those receiving concurrent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Clinical studies of Exelon have shown no significant increase, relative to placebo, in the incidence of either peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding.

5.3 Anesthesia

Exelon, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, is likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia.

5.4 Cardiovascular Conditions

Drugs that increase cholinergic activity may have vagotonic effects on heart rate (e.g., bradycardia). The potential for this action may be particularly important to patients with sick sinus syndrome or other supraventricular cardiac conduction conditions. In clinical trials, Exelon was not associated with any increased incidence of cardiovascular adverse events, heart rate or blood pressure changes, or ECG abnormalities.

5.5 Genitourinary Conditions

Although this was not observed in clinical trials of Exelon, drugs that increase cholinergic activity may cause urinary obstruction.

5.6 Neurological Conditions

Seizures

Drugs that increase cholinergic activity are believed to have some potential for causing seizures. However, seizure activity also may be a manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms

Like other cholinomimetics, rivastigmine may exacerbate or induce extrapyramidal symptoms. Worsening of parkinsonian symptoms, particularly tremor, has been observed in patients with dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease who were treated with Exelon capsules.

5.7 Pulmonary Conditions

Like other drugs that increase cholinergic activity, Exelon should be used with care in patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.

5.8 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Dementia may cause gradual impairment of driving performance or compromise the ability to use machinery. The administration of rivastigmine may also result in adverse events that are detrimental to these functions. Thus, the ability to continue driving or operating machinery should be routinely evaluated by the treating physician.

5.9 Special Populations

Low Body Weight

Patients with body weight below 50 kg may experience more adverse events and may be more likely to discontinue due to adverse events. Particular caution should be exercised in titrating these patients above the recommended maintenance dose of the Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours.

6  ADVERSE REACTIONS

Significant gastrointestinal adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss have been reported with the Exelon Patch at higher than recommended doses [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

6.1 Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease

Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment

In the single controlled clinical trial of Exelon Patch [see Clinical Studies (14)], which randomized a total of 1195 patients, the proportions of patients in the Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours, Exelon capsules 6 mg BID, and placebo groups who discontinued treatment due to adverse events were 9.6%, 8.6%, 8.1%, and 5.0%, respectively.

The most common adverse events in the Exelon Patch-treated groups that led to treatment discontinuation in this study were nausea and vomiting. The proportions of patients who discontinued treatment due to nausea were 0.7%, 1.7%, 1.7%, and 1.3% in the Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours, Exelon capsules 6 mg BID, and placebo groups, respectively. The proportions of patients who discontinued treatment due to vomiting were 0%, 1.7%, 2.0%, and 0.3% in the Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours, Exelon capsules 6 mg BID, and placebo groups, respectively.

Most Commonly Observed Adverse Events

The most commonly observed adverse events seen in patients administered Exelon Patch in the controlled clinical trial, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in the 9.5 mg/24 hours group and at a frequency at least as high as in the placebo group are largely predicted by the cholinergic effects of Exelon. These are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. All these events were more common at the higher Exelon Patch dose of 17.4 mg/24 hours than at a dose of 9.5 mg/24 hours.

Adverse Events Observed at an Incidence of ≥2%

The following table lists treatment-emergent adverse events that were seen at an incidence of ≥2% in either Exelon Patch-treated group in the controlled clinical trial and for which the rate of occurrence was greater for patients treated with that dose of Exelon Patch than for those treated with placebo. The prescriber should be aware that these frequencies cannot be used to predict the frequency of adverse events in the course of usual medical practice when patient characteristics and other factors may differ from those prevailing during clinical studies. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be directly compared with frequencies obtained from other clinical investigations involving different treatments, uses, or investigators. An inspection of these frequencies, however, does provide the prescriber with one basis by which to estimate the relative contribution of drug and non-drug factors to the adverse event incidences in the population studied.

Table 2: Adverse Events Observed with a Frequency of ≥2% and Occurring with a Rate Greater Than Placebo
Exelon
Patch
9.5 mg/
24 hours
n (%)
Exelon
Patch
17.4 mg/
24 hours
n (%)
Exelon
capsule
6 mg BID
n (%)
Placebo
n (%)
Total Patients Studied291303294302
Total Number of Patients with AEs147 (51)200 (66)186 (63)139 (46)
Nausea21 (7)64 (21)68 (23)15 (5)
Vomiting18 (6)57 (19)50 (17)10 (3)
Diarrhea18 (6)31 (10)16 (5)10 (3)
Depression11 (4)12 (4)13 (4)4 (1)
Headache10 (3)13 (4)18 (6)5 (2)
Anxiety9 (3)8 (3)5 (2)4 (1)
Anorexia/
Decreased Appetite
9 (3)27 (9)26 (9)6 (2)
Weight Decreased8 (3)23 (8)16 (5)4 (1)
Dizziness7 (2)21 (7)22 (7)7 (2)
Abdominal Pain7 (2)11 (4)4 (1)2 (1)
Urinary Tract Infection6 (2)5 (2)4 (1)3 (1)
Asthenia5 (2)9 (3)17 (6)3 (1)
Fatigue5 (2)7 (2)2 (1)4 (1)
Insomnia4 (1)12 (4)6 (2)6 (2)
Abdominal Pain Upper3 (1)8 (3)6 (2)6 (2)
Vertigo0 (0)7 (2)4 (1)3 (1)

Incidence of Application Site Reactions

The vast majority of patients participating in the controlled clinical trial had either no observed skin irritation or mild to moderate skin reactions. Among the skin reactions reported were the following: application site reactions, application site dermatitis, application site irritation and application site eczema. The incidence of severe reactions was very low regardless of administered dosage.

6.2 Other Adverse Events Observed During Clinical Trials

Exelon Patch has been administered to 1071 patients with Alzheimer’s disease during clinical trials worldwide. Of these, 869 patients have been treated for at least 3 months, 706 patients have been treated for at least 6 months, and 212 patients have been treated for 1 year.

Treatment-emergent signs and symptoms that occurred during 1 controlled and 4 open-label trials in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Japan were recorded as adverse events by the clinical investigators using terminology of their own choosing.

To provide an overall estimate of the proportion of individuals having similar types of events, the events were grouped into a smaller number of standardized categories using the MedDRA dictionary, and event frequencies were calculated across all studies. These categories are used in the listing below. The frequencies represent the proportion of 1071 patients from these trials who experienced that event while receiving Exelon Patch. All patch doses are pooled.

All adverse events occurring in at least 1 patient (approximately 0.1%) are included, except for those already listed elsewhere in labeling, too general to be informative, or relatively minor events.

Events are classified by system organ class and listed using the following definitions: Frequent – those occurring in at least 1/100 patients; Infrequent – those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients. These adverse events are not necessarily related to Exelon Patch treatment and in most cases were observed at a similar frequency in placebo-treated patients in the controlled studies.

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Frequent: Anemia.

Cardiac Disorders: Infrequent: Angina pectoris, cardiac failure, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular extrasystoles, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmia, atrioventricular block.

Ear and Labyrinth Disorders: Infrequent: Tinnitus.

Eye Disorders: Infrequent: Cataract, glaucoma, vision blurred.

Gastrointestinal System: Frequent: Constipation, gastritis. Infrequent: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, hematochezia, peptic ulcer, hematemesis, pancreatitis, salivary hypersecretion.

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Infrequent: Application site dermatitis, application site irritation, peripheral edema, chest pain, application site eczema, hyperpyrexia.

Hepatobiliary Disorders: Infrequent: Cholecystitis.

Infections and Infestations: Frequent: Nasopharyngitis, pneumonia. Infrequent: Diverticulitis.

Injury, Poisoning and Procedural Complications: Frequent: Fall. Infrequent: Hip fracture, subdural hematoma.

Investigations: Infrequent: Blood creatine phosphokinase increased, lipase increased, blood amylase increased, electrocardiogram QT prolonged.

Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: Frequent: Dehydration. Infrequent: Hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia.

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Infrequent: Arthralgia, muscle spasms, myalgia.

Nervous System Disorders: Frequent: Tremor. Infrequent: Migraine, parkinsonism, epilepsy.

Psychiatric Disorders: Infrequent: Delusion.

Renal and Urinary Disorders: Frequent: Urinary incontinence. Infrequent: Pollakiuria, hematuria, nocturia, renal failure.

Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: Infrequent: Benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: Infrequent: Dyspnea, bronchospasm, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Frequent: Pruritus. Infrequent: Erythema, eczema, dermatitis, rash erythematous, skin ulcer.

Vascular Disorders: Infrequent: Hypotension.

6.3 Post-Introduction Reports

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified based on post-marketing spontaneous reports and are not listed above. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. 

Hypertension, application site hypersensitivity, urticaria, blister, dermatitis allergic, seizure, worsening of Parkinson’s disease in patients with Parkinson’s disease who were treated with Exelon patches.

6.4 Additional Adverse Reactions Reported

The following additional adverse reactions have been observed with Exelon capsules/oral solution.

Confusion, abnormal liver function tests, duodenal ulcers.

7  DRUG INTERACTIONS

No specific interaction studies have been conducted with Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system).

7.1 Effect of Exelon on the Metabolism of Other Drugs

Rivastigmine is primarily metabolized through hydrolysis by esterases. Minimal metabolism occurs via the major cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. Based on in-vitro studies, no pharmacokinetic drug interactions with drugs metabolized by the following isoenzyme systems are expected: CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A4/5, CYP2E1, CYP2C9, CYP2C8, or CYP2C19.

No pharmacokinetic interaction was observed between rivastigmine taken orally and digoxin, warfarin, diazepam or fluoxetine in studies in healthy volunteers. The increase in prothrombin time induced by warfarin is not affected by administration of rivastigmine.

7.2 Effect of Other Drugs on the Metabolism of Exelon

Drugs that induce or inhibit CYP450 metabolism are not expected to alter the metabolism of rivastigmine.

Population PK analysis with a database of 625 patients showed that the pharmacokinetics of rivastigmine taken orally were not influenced by commonly prescribed medications such as antacids (n=77), antihypertensives (n=72), ß-blockers (n=42), calcium channel blockers (n=75), antidiabetics (n=21), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n=79), estrogens (n=70), salicylate analgesics (n=177), antianginals (n=35) and antihistamines (n=15).

7.3 Use with Anticholinergics, Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors

In view of its pharmacodynamic effects, rivastigmine should not be given concomitantly with other cholinomimetic drugs and might interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications. A synergistic effect may be expected when cholinesterase inhibitors are given concurrently with succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol.

8  USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category B

There are no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Exelon Patch should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. No dermal reproduction studies in animals have been conducted. Oral reproduction studies conducted in pregnant rats at doses up to 2.3 mg base/kg/day and in pregnant rabbits at doses up to 2.3 mg base/kg/day revealed no evidence of teratogenicity. Studies in rats showed slightly decreased fetal/pup weights, usually at doses causing some maternal toxicity.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

Milk transfer studies in animals have not been conducted with dermal rivastigmine. In rats given rivastigmine orally, concentrations of rivastigmine plus metabolites were approximately two times higher in milk than in plasma. It is not known whether rivastigmine is excreted in human breast milk. Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) has no indication for use in nursing mothers.

8.4 Pediatric Use

There are no adequate and well-controlled trials documenting the safety and efficacy of Exelon in any illness occurring in children.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Age had no impact on the exposure to rivastigmine in Alzheimer’s disease patients treated with Exelon Patch.

8.6 Hepatic Disease 

No pharmacokinetic study was conducted with Exelon Patch in subjects with hepatic impairment. Following a single 3-mg dose, mean oral clearance of rivastigmine was 60% lower in hepatically impaired patients (n=10, biopsy proven) than in healthy subjects (n=10). After multiple 6-mg BID oral dosing, the mean clearance of rivastigmine was 65% lower in mild (n=7, Child-Pugh score 5-6) and moderate (n=3, Child-Pugh score 7-9) hepatically impaired patients (biopsy proven, liver cirrhosis) than in healthy subjects (n=10). Dosage adjustment is not necessary in hepatically impaired patients as the dose of drug is individually titrated to tolerability.

8.7 Renal Disease 

No study was conducted with Exelon Patch in subjects with renal impairment. Following a single 3-mg dose, mean oral clearance of rivastigmine is 64% lower in moderately impaired renal patients (n=8, GFR=10-50 mL/min) than in healthy subjects (n=10, GFR≥60 mL/min); Cl/F=1.7 L/min (cv=45%) and 4.8 L/min (cv=80%), respectively. In severely impaired renal patients (n=8, GFR<10 mL/min), mean oral clearance of rivastigmine is 43% higher than in healthy subjects (n=10, GFR≥60 mL/min); Cl/F=6.9 L/min and 4.8 L/min, respectively. For unexplained reasons, the severely impaired renal patients had a higher clearance of rivastigmine than moderately impaired patients. However, dosage adjustment may not be necessary in renally impaired patients as the dose of the drug is individually titrated to tolerability.

8.8 Low Body Weight

Rivastigmine exposure is higher in subjects with low body weight. Compared to a patient with a body weight of 65 kg, the rivastigmine steady-state concentrations in a patient with a body weight of 35 kg would be approximately doubled, while for a patient with a body weight of 100 kg the concentrations would be approximately halved. This suggests special attention should be given to patients with very low body weight during up-titration [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

8.9 Gender and Race

No specific pharmacokinetic study was conducted to investigate the effect of gender and race on the disposition of Exelon, but a population pharmacokinetic analysis indicates that gender (n=277 males and 348 females) and race (n=575 White, 34 Black, 4 Asian, and 12 Other) did not affect the clearance of Exelon administered orally. Similar results were seen with analyses of pharmacokinetic data obtained after the administration of Exelon Patch.

8.10 Nicotine Use

Population pharmacokinetic analysis showed that nicotine use increases the oral clearance of rivastigmine by 23% (n=75 Smokers and 549 Nonsmokers). No dose adjustment is necessary as the dose of the drug is individually titrated to tolerability.

10  OVERDOSAGE

Because strategies for the management of overdose are continually evolving, it is advisable to contact a Poison Control Center to determine the latest recommendations for the management of an overdose of any drug. As in any case of overdose, general supportive measures should be utilized.

As rivastigmine has a plasma half-life of about 3.4 hours after patch administration and a duration of acetylcholinesterase inhibition of about 9 hours, it is recommended that in cases of asymptomatic overdose the patch should be immediately removed and no further patch should be applied for the next 24 hours.

As in any case of overdose, general supportive measures should be utilized. Overdosage with cholinesterase inhibitors can result in cholinergic crisis characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, salivation, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory depression, collapse and convulsions. Increasing muscle weakness is a possibility and may result in death if respiratory muscles are involved. Atypical responses in blood pressure and heart rate have been reported with other drugs that increase cholinergic activity when coadministered with quaternary anticholinergics such as glycopyrrolate. Due to the short plasma elimination half-life of rivastigmine after patch administration, dialysis (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or hemofiltration) would not be clinically indicated in the event of an overdose.

In overdose accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting, the use of antiemetics should be considered. In a documented case of an oral 46-mg overdose with Exelon, the patient experienced vomiting, incontinence, hypertension, psychomotor retardation, and loss of consciousness. The patient fully recovered within 24 hours and conservative management was all that was required for treatment.

Overdose with Exelon Patch has been reported in the post-marketing setting. Overdoses have occurred due to application of more than one patch at one time and not removing the previous day’s patch before applying a new patch. The symptoms reported in these overdose cases are similar to those seen in cases of overdose associated with Exelon oral formulations.

11  DESCRIPTION

Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor and is known chemically as (S)- 3-[1-(dimethylamino) ethyl]phenyl ethylmethylcarbamate. It has an empirical formula of C14H22N2O2 as the base and a molecular weight of 250.34 (as the base). Rivastigmine is a viscous, clear, and colorless to yellow to very slightly brown liquid that is sparingly soluble in water and very soluble in ethanol, acetonitrile, n-octanol and ethyl acetate.

The distribution coefficient at 37°C in n-octanol/phosphate buffer solution pH 7 is 4.27.

rivastigmine chemical structure

Exelon Patch is for transdermal administration. The patch comprises a four-layer laminate containing the backing layer, drug matrix, adhesive matrix and overlapping release liner. The release liner is removed and discarded prior to use. See Figure 1 for a detailed illustration.

Figure 1: Cross Section of the Patch

Figure 1: Cross Section of the Patch

Layer 1Backing Film
Layer 2Drug Product (Acrylic) Matrix
Layer 3Adhesive (Silicone) Matrix
Layer 4Release Liner (removed at time of use)

Excipients within the formulation include acrylic copolymer, poly(butylmethacrylate, methylmethacrylate), silicone adhesive applied to a flexible polymer backing film, silicone oil, and vitamin E.

12  CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Pathological changes in dementia of the Alzheimer’s type and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease involve cholinergic neuronal pathways that project from the basal forebrain to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. These pathways are thought to be intricately involved in memory, attention, learning, and other cognitive processes. While the precise mechanism of action for rivastigmine is unknown, it is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by cholinesterase. If this proposed mechanism is correct, the effect of rivastigmine may lessen as the disease process advances and fewer cholinergic neurons remain functionally intact. There is no evidence that rivastigmine alters the course of the underlying dementing process.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

After a 6-mg oral dose of rivastigmine in humans, anticholinesterase activity is present in CSF for about 10 hours, with a maximum inhibition of about 60% 5 hours after dosing.

In-vitro and in-vivo studies demonstrate that the inhibition of cholinesterase by rivastigmine is not affected by the concomitant administration of memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

After the first dose, there is a lag time of 0.5-1 hour in the absorption of rivastigmine from Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system). Concentrations then rise slowly typically reaching a maximum after 8 hours, although maximum values (Cmax) are often reached at later times as well (10-16 hours). After the peak, plasma concentrations slowly decrease over the remainder of the 24-hour period of application. At steady state, trough levels are approximately 60-80% of peak levels. Fluctuation (between Cmax and Cmin) is lower for Exelon Patch than for the oral formulation. Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours exhibited exposure approximately the same as that provided by an oral dose of 6 mg twice daily (i.e., 12 mg/day).

Figure 2: Rivastigmine Plasma Concentrations Following Dermal 24-Hour Patch Application

Figure 2: Rivastigmine Plasma Concentrations Following Dermal 24-Hour Patch Application

Inter-subject variability in exposure was lower (43-49%) for the Exelon Patch formulation as compared with the oral formulations (73-103%).

A relationship between drug exposure at steady state (rivastigmine and metabolite NAP226-90) and body weight was observed in Alzheimer’s dementia patients. Compared to a patient with a body weight of 65 kg, the rivastigmine steady-state concentrations in a patient with a body weight of 35 kg are approximately doubled, while for a patient with a body weight of 100 kg the concentrations are approximately halved. The effect of body weight on drug exposure suggests special attention to patients with very low body weight during up-titration [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

Over a 24-hour dermal application, approximately 50% of the drug load is released from the system.

Exposure (AUC) to rivastigmine (and metabolite NAP266-90) was highest when the patch was applied to the upper back, chest, or upper arm. Two other sites (abdomen and thigh) could be used if none of the three other sites is available, but the practitioner should keep in mind that the rivastigmine plasma exposure associated with these sites was approximately 20-30% lower.

There was no relevant accumulation of rivastigmine or the metabolite NAP226-90 in plasma in patients with Alzheimer’s disease upon multiple dosing.

Distribution

Rivastigmine is weakly bound to plasma proteins (approximately 40%) over the therapeutic range. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, reaching CSF peak concentrations in 1.4-2.6 hours. It has an apparent volume of distribution in the range of 1.8-2.7 L/kg.

Metabolism

Rivastigmine is extensively metabolized primarily via cholinesterase-mediated hydrolysis to the decarbamylated metabolite NAP226-90. In-vitro, this metabolite shows minimal inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (<10%). Based on evidence from in-vitro and animal studies, the major cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are minimally involved in rivastigmine metabolism.

The metabolite-to-parent AUC ratio was about 0.7 after Exelon Patch application versus 3.5 after oral administration, indicating that much less metabolism occurred after dermal treatment. Less NAP226-90 is formed following patch application, presumably because of the lack of presystemic (hepatic first pass) metabolism. Based on in-vitro studies, no unique metabolic routes were detected in human skin.

Elimination

Renal excretion of the metabolites is the major route of elimination. Unchanged rivastigmine is found in trace amounts in the urine. Following administration of 14C-rivastigmine, renal elimination was rapid and essentially complete (>90%) within 24 hours. Less than 1% of the administered dose is excreted in the feces. The apparent elimination half-life in plasma is approximately 3 hours after patch removal. Renal clearance was approximately
2.1-2.8 L/hr.

13  NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

In oral carcinogenicity studies conducted at doses up to 1.1 mg base/kg/day in rats and 1.6 mg base/kg/day in mice, rivastigmine was not carcinogenic.

In a dermal carcinogenicity study conducted at doses up to 0.75 mg base/kg/day in mice, rivastigmine was not carcinogenic. The mean rivastigmine plasma exposure (AUC) at this dose was 0.3-0.4 times that observed in Alzheimer’s disease patients at the recommended clinical dose (one Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours).

Rivastigmine was clastogenic in two in-vitro assays in the presence, but not the absence, of metabolic activation. It caused structural chromosomal aberrations in V79 Chinese hamster lung cells and both structural and numerical (polyploidy) chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Rivastigmine was not genotoxic in three in-vitro assays: the Ames test, the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) test in rat hepatocytes (a test for induction of DNA repair synthesis), and the HGPRT test in V79 Chinese hamster cells. Rivastigmine was not clastogenic in the in-vivo mouse micronucleus test.

No fertility or reproduction studies have been conducted in animals treated with dermal rivastigmine. Rivastigmine had no effect on fertility or reproductive performance in rats at oral doses up to 1.1 mg base/kg/day.

14  CLINICAL STUDIES

The effectiveness of the Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease was based on the results of a single controlled trial in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (see below) as well as on three controlled trials of the immediate-release capsule in Alzheimer’s disease and one controlled trial in dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (see package insert for the Exelon capsules and oral solution for details).

14.1 International 24-Week Study of Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system)

This was a randomized double-blind clinical investigation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease [diagnosed by NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV criteria, Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score ≥10 and ≤20]. The mean age of patients participating in this trial was 74 years with a range of 50-90 years. Approximately 67% of patients were women and 33% were men. The racial distribution was Caucasian 75%, Black 1%, Oriental 9% and Other Races 15%.

14.2 Study Outcome Measures

The effectiveness of the Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) was evaluated in this study using a dual outcome assessment strategy.

The ability of the Exelon Patch to improve cognitive performance was assessed with the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), a multi-item instrument that has been extensively validated in longitudinal cohorts of Alzheimer’s disease patients. The ADAS-Cog examines selected aspects of cognitive performance including elements of memory, orientation, attention, reasoning, language and praxis. The ADAS-Cog scoring range is from 0-70, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive impairment. Elderly normal adults may score as low as 0 or 1, but it is not unusual for non-demented adults to score slightly higher.

The ability of the Exelon Patch to produce an overall clinical effect was assessed using the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study - Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC). The ADCS-CGIC is a more standardized form of CIBIC-Plus and is also scored as a seven-point categorical rating, ranging from a score of 1, indicating “markedly improved”, to a score of 4, indicating “no change” to a score of 7, indicating “marked worsening”.

14.3 Study Results

In this study, 1195 patients were randomized to one of the following 4 treatments: Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours, Exelon capsules in a dose of 6 mg BID, or placebo. This 24-week study was divided into a 16-week titration phase followed by an 8-week maintenance phase. In the active treatment arms of this study, doses below the target dose were permitted during the maintenance phase in the event of poor tolerability.

Effects on the ADAS-Cog

Figure 3 illustrates the time course for the change from baseline in ADAS-Cog scores for all 4 treatment groups over the 24-week study. At 24 weeks, the mean differences in the ADAS-Cog change scores for the Exelon-treated patients, compared to the patients on placebo, were 1.8, 2.9, and 1.8 units for the Exelon Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours, Exelon Patch 17.4 mg/24 hours, and Exelon capsule 6 mg BID groups, respectively. The difference between each of these groups and placebo was statistically significant.

Effects on the ADCS-CGIC

Figure 4 is a histogram of the distribution of patients’ scores on the ADCS-CGIC for all 4 treatment groups.

At 24 weeks, the mean difference in the ADCS-CGIC scores for the comparison of patients in each of the Exelon-treated groups with the patients on placebo was 0.2 units. The difference between each of these groups and placebo was statistically significant.

Figure 3: Time Course of the Change from Baseline in ADAS-Cog Score for Patients Observed at Each Time Point

Observed at Each Time Point

Figure 4: Distribution of ADCS-CGIC Scores for Patients Completing the Study

Figure 4: Distribution of ADCS-CGIC Scores for Patients Completing the Study

16  HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

Patch 4.6 mg/24 hours

Each patch of 5 cm2 contains 9 mg rivastigmine base with in-vivo release rate of 4.6 mg/24 hours.

Carton of 30………………………NDC 0078-0501-15

Patch 9.5 mg/24 hours

Each patch of 10 cm2 contains 18 mg rivastigmine base with in-vivo release rate of 9.5 mg/24 hours.

Carton of 30………………………..NDC 0078-0502-15

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Keep Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) in the individual sealed pouch until use.

Used systems should be folded, with the adhesive surfaces pressed together, and discarded safely.

Each pouch contains one patch.

17  PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

17.1 General

Patient information is printed in section 17.8. To assure safe and effective use of Exelon Patch, this information and instructions provided in the patient information section should be discussed with patients.

17.2 Importance of Correct Usage

Patients or caregivers should be informed of the importance of applying the correct dose on the correct part of their body. They should be instructed to rotate the application site in order to minimize skin irritation. The same site should not be used within 14 days. The previous day’s patch must be removed before applying a new patch to a different skin location. Exelon Patch should be replaced every 24 hours and the time of day should be consistent. It may be helpful for this to be part of a daily routine, such as the daily bath or shower.

Patients or caregivers should be told to avoid exposure of the patch to external heat sources (excessive sunlight, saunas, solariums) for long periods of time.

17.3 Discarding Used Patches

Patients or caregivers should be instructed to fold the patch in half after use. Return the used patch to its original pouch and discard it out of the reach and sight of children and pets. They should also be informed that drug still remains in the patch after 24-hour usage. They should be instructed to avoid eye contact and to wash their hands after handling the patch.

17.4 Concomitant Use of Drugs with Cholinergic Action

Patients or caregivers should be told that while wearing Exelon Patch they should not be taking Exelon capsules or Exelon oral solution or other drugs with cholinergic effects.

17.5 Gastrointestinal Adverse Events

Patients or caregivers should be informed of the potential gastrointestinal adverse events such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Patients and caregivers should be instructed to observe for these adverse reactions at all times, in particular when treatment is initiated or the dose is increased. Patients and caregivers should be instructed to inform their physician if these adverse events persist as a dose adjustment/
reduction may be required.

17.6 Monitoring the Patient’s Weight

Patients or caregivers should be informed that Exelon Patch may affect the patient’s appetite and/or the patient’s weight. Any loss of appetite or weight reduction needs to be monitored.

17.7 Missed Doses

If the patient has missed a dose, he/she should be instructed to apply a new patch immediately. They may apply the next patch at the usual time the next day. Patients should not apply two patches to make up for one missed.

If treatment has been missed for three or more days, the patient or caregiver should be informed to restart treatment with the starting patch dose of 4.6 mg/24 hours. Titration to the next patch dose should proceed after 4 weeks [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

PATIENT INFORMATION

Exelon Patch [ECS-el-on]

(rivastigmine

transdermal system)

Exelon Patch is for skin use only.

Read this Patient Information leaflet before you start using Exelon Patch and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. If you do not understand the information, or have any questions about Exelon Patch, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What is Exelon Patch?

Exelon Patch is a prescription medicine used to treat:

It is not known if Exelon Patch is safe or effective in children.

Who should not use Exelon Patch?

Do not use Exelon Patch if you are allergic to rivastigmine, carbamate derivatives, or any of the ingredients in Exelon Patch. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Exelon Patch.

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Exelon Patch?

Before you use Exelon Patch, tell your healthcare provider if you:

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I use Exelon Patch?

Where should I Apply Exelon Patch?

Figure A: Apply one patch to ONLY ONE of the following possible sites each day.

Figure A: Apply one patch to ONLY ONE of the following possible sites each day.

      

The diagram represents areas on the body where Exelon Patch may be applied. Only one patch should be worn at a time. Do not apply multiple patches to the body.

Apply ONLY ONE patch per day to ONLY ONE of the following locations (as illustrated above): the upper or lower back if it is likely that the patient will remove it. If this is not a concern, the patch can be applied instead to the upper arm or chest. Avoid places where the patch can be rubbed off by tight clothing.

Apply Exelon Patch as follows:

The patch is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin. Each patch is sealed in a pouch that protects it until you are ready to put it on. Do not open the pouch or remove a patch until just before you apply it.

1.   Cut the pouch along the dotted line to open and remove the patch (See Figure B). Save the pouch for later use. The patch should not be cut or folded sharply.

Cut the pouch along the dotted line and remove the patch.

Figure B

2.   A protective liner covers the sticky (adhesive) side of the patch. Peel off one side of the protective cover. Do not touch the sticky part of the patch with your finger (See Figure C). 

A protective liner covers the adhesive side of the patch. Peel off one side of the protective liner and do not touch the sticky part of the patch with the fingers.

Figure C

     

3.   Apply the sticky side of the patch onto your chosen skin site.

4.   Peel off the other side of the protective cover (See Figure D).

Put the sticky side of the patch on the upper or lower back, upper arm or chest and then peel off the second side of the protective liner.

Figure D

5.   Press down on the patch firmly to make sure that the edges stick well (See Figure E).

Press the patch firmly in place with the hand to make sure that the edges stick well.

Figure E

      Wash your hands with soap and water after applying the patch.

Removing the Exelon Patch:

What should I avoid while using Exelon Patch?

What are the possible side effects of Exelon Patch?

Exelon Patch may cause serious side effects including:    

The most common side effects of Exelon Patch include:

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Exelon Patch. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store Exelon Patch?

Keep Exelon Patch and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of Exelon Patch.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in the Patient Information leaflet. Do not use Exelon Patch for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Exelon Patch to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about Exelon Patch. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Exelon Patch that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients of Exelon Patch?

Active ingredient: rivastigmine

                                                      T2010-42

Distributed by:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
East Hanover, New Jersey 07936

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

Package Label – 4.6 mg / 24 hours

Rx Only             NDC 0078-0501-15

EXELON® Patch

(rivastigmine transdermal system)

Each System Delivers 4.6 mg/24 hours

Contains 30 Systems

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
Package Label – 4.6 mg / 24 hours
Rx Only		NDC 0078-0501-15
EXELON® Patch
(rivastigmine transdermal system) 
Each System Delivers 4.6 mg/24 hours
Contains 30 Systems

     

     

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

Package Label – 9.5 mg / 24 hours

Rx Only             NDC 0078-0502-15

EXELON® Patch

(rivastigmine transdermal system)

Each System Delivers 9.5 mg/24 hours

Contains 30 Systems

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
Package Label – 9.5 mg / 24 hours
Rx Only		NDC 0078-0502-15
EXELON® Patch
(rivastigmine transdermal system) 
Each System Delivers 9.5 mg/24 hours
Contains 30 Systems


EXELON 
rivastigmine   patch, extended release
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGNDC Product Code (Source)0078-0501
Route of AdministrationTRANSDERMALDEA Schedule    
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
RIVASTIGMINE (RIVASTIGMINE) RIVASTIGMINE4.6 mg  in 24 h
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL 
Product Characteristics
Color    Score    
ShapeSize
FlavorImprint Code
Contains    
Packaging
#NDCPackage DescriptionMultilevel Packaging
10078-0501-1530 PATCH In 1 CARTONcontains a PATCH (0078-0501-61)
10078-0501-6148 h In 1 PATCHThis package is contained within the CARTON (0078-0501-15)

Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NDANDA02208307/06/2007

EXELON 
rivastigmine   patch, extended release
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGNDC Product Code (Source)0078-0502
Route of AdministrationTRANSDERMALDEA Schedule    
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
RIVASTIGMINE (RIVASTIGMINE) RIVASTIGMINE9.5 mg  in 24 h
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL 
Product Characteristics
Color    Score    
ShapeSize
FlavorImprint Code
Contains    
Packaging
#NDCPackage DescriptionMultilevel Packaging
10078-0502-1530 PATCH In 1 CARTONcontains a PATCH (0078-0502-61)
10078-0502-6148 h In 1 PATCHThis package is contained within the CARTON (0078-0502-15)

Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NDANDA02208307/06/2007

Labeler - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (002147023)
Revised: 08/2010Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation