Hetriva 4.6mg Patch is used to treat mild to moderate dementia in Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive illness which gradually affects memory and thinking. It is also used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It does not cure these illnesses but may help improve memory, awareness and other symptoms.
Hetriva 4.6mg Patch works by increasing the levels of a chemical messenger involved in transmission of nerve signals. It is taken by mouth with food to avoid stomach upset. However, take it at the same time each day to maintain consistent level of medicine in the blood. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. You should finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to doctor.
Some common side effects of this medicine includes weakness, depression, headache, anxiety, stomach pain, urinary tract infections, muscle weakness, and urinary retention. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It may cause diarrhea, so drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. This medicine may also cause weight loss, so if you lose weight, consult a dietitian or try to increase your food portion. Take it with caution if you are suffering from peptic ulcers as it may cause vomiting or bleeding in stomach.
In people with Alzheimer’s disease, certain nerve cells die in the brain. This results in lower levels of a chemical called acetylcholine which helps nerve cells to communicate with each other. This leads to symptoms of dementia such as memory loss, confusion, disorientation, problems with speech and language, and personality changes. Hetriva 4.6mg Patch increases the amount of acetylcholine and helps brain cells to communicate. It can, therefore, improve some of the symptoms such as memory, awareness, and the ability to carry out daily functions for a time. However, it is not a cure.
You should use the patches exactly as they have been prescribed and only use one at a time. Choose a different place on your body to wear the patch each time you put on a new one. It can take several weeks for your symptoms to improve; so keep applying the patches even if you do not think they are working.
Side effects of Hetriva Patch
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Hetriva
Depression
Stomach pain
Urinary tract infection
Muscle weakness
Tiredness
Sleep disorder
How to use Hetriva Patch
Use this medicine in dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label before use. Make sure the skin is clean and dry. Remove the protective liner of the patch. Do not touch the sticky side. With sticky side down, place the patch evenly onto the skin.
How Hetriva Patch works
Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease occurs due to disturbances of signal transmission in the brain. Hetriva 4.6mg Patch is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the levels of a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) involved in transmmission of nerve signals. This improves memory and thinking.
Safety advice
Alcohol
No interaction found/established
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Hetriva 4.6mg Patch is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Hetriva 4.6mg Patch is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
No interaction found/established
Kidney
No interaction found/established
Liver
No interaction found/established
What if you forget to take Hetriva Patch?
If you miss a dose of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine
Quick tips
You have been prescribed Hetriva 4.6mg Patch to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
It does not cure Alzheimer's disease but may help improve brain function and ability to do daily activities.
It may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while taking Hetriva 4.6mg Patch.
Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how Hetriva 4.6mg Patch affects you.
Be cautious while taking this medicine if you suffer from peptic ulcer as it may cause vomiting, stomach bleeding, stomach pain, or discomfort.
Inform your doctor if you experience seizures or convulsions while taking this medicine.
You have been prescribed Hetriva 4.6mg Patch to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
It does not cure Alzheimer's disease but may help improve brain function and ability to do daily activities.
It may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while taking Hetriva 4.6mg Patch.
Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how Hetriva 4.6mg Patch affects you.
Be cautious while taking this medicine if you suffer from peptic ulcer as it may cause vomiting, stomach bleeding, stomach pain, or discomfort.
Inform your doctor if you experience seizures or convulsions while taking this medicine.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Carbamate Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
NEURO CNS
Action Class
Cholinesterase inhibitors - Alzheimer's disease
Patient concerns
Why the failure of Alzheimer's therapy now a days???
Dr. Vikas Sharma
Neurology
as the disese mechanisms are still not defined in absolute terms; still PATIENT is needed and is ongoing
Sir, My father ( an advocate) has developed symptoms of Alzheimer recently and sometimes he takes medicines on his own. He gets weak and unable to walk after taking tablets. Is there any test which can tell which medicines that he took? He takes Ayurved, Allopath, Homeopathy all and does not listen to me. Kindly help
Dr. Ila Jain Khandelwal
Pathology
Dear Sir Thank you for consulting with me. Alzheimer's disease is a difficult disease to handle since patient develops dementia or forgetfulness. There are no blood tests which can tell you which medicines he took. Please consult a neurologist/ Psychiatrist
I am suffering from alzehimer. I forget things like where I put key in morning. Some small things which makes me to suffer from condolence. What is the reason and how can I cure it ?
Dr. Ambrish Dharmadhikari
Psychiatry
Alzheimer's have many reasons which may be genetic, vitamins deficiency, hormonal problems, alcohol, other drugs, age related and others. We need to investigate you for finding cause. I strongly advice consultation with psychiatrist. If you are from Mumbai, see me.There is no cure to Alzheimer's, but we can suppress symptoms. Looking at your age, I am very much sure you are not suffering from Alzheimer's!!!!
Myself and wife started infertility treatment. My doctor has prescribed ubefit, carnimed plus and linearity for sperm count increase. Will these drugs improve my sperm count? When I checked the indication of these drugs in Google, it shows different indications like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease like that, hence I am afraid of taking these drugs. Kindly provide your valuable comments.
Patient has perkinson disease patient has Perkinson disease
Dr. Saurav Arora
Homeopathy
Dear sir as your case is a chronic case it requires long case taking, examination and regular follow up, therefore, please visit a homeopath so that he can examine you and guide you accordingly.
Hetriva 4.6mg Patch may take as long as 12 weeks to start showing its effect. The effect of the medicine on each individual may differ. The clinical benefits of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch should be assessed regularly. If after 12 weeks of treatment the symptoms do not improve, stop the medication and consult your doctor.
How should Hetriva 4.6mg Patch be taken?
Always take the medicine as directed by your doctor. Usually Hetriva 4.6mg Patch is prescribed to be taken twice a day, in the morning and evening, with food. Swallow the whole capsule with water; do not open or crush the capsule. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Is it okay to take antacids while taking Hetriva 4.6mg Patch?
Yes, antacids can be taken while taking Hetriva 4.6mg Patch as they do not interfere with the working of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch. Moreover, Hetriva 4.6mg Patch may cause increased acid secretion in the stomach in some patients. Your doctor may prescribe an antacid to relieve this acidity.
What will happen if I take more than the recommended doses of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch?
Taking more than the recommended doses of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, tremor, headache, sleepiness, hallucinations and malaise. An overdose may also cause confusion, increased sweating and increase in blood pressure. In case you take an overdose of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch or if you experience any such symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Does Hetriva 4.6mg Patch cause drowsiness?
Yes, Hetriva 4.6mg Patch can cause drowsiness or sleepiness, especially at the start of treatment or when increasing the dose. If you feel dizzy or sleepy, do not drive, use machines or perform any tasks that require your attention. If dizziness continues and bothers you, consult your doctor.
Can I stop taking Hetriva 4.6mg Patch?
You should not stop or change the dose of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch without consulting your doctor. However, if treatment is interrupted for more than 3 days, do not continue the medicine without consulting your doctor. The doctor will re-initiate the treatment with a low dose twice a day. The dose can then be increased gradually as was done previously.
Can Hetriva 4.6mg Patch cause hallucinations?
Yes, Hetriva 4.6mg Patch can cause hallucinations. However, hallucinations are reported very rarely with the use of Hetriva 4.6mg Patch, which means they occur in very few people. It may usually occur shortly after dose modification. If you do not feel well, consult your doctor.
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References
Stahl SM, editor. Rivastigmine. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 603-607.
Katzung BG. Special Aspects of Geriatric Pharmacology. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 1041.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 1229.
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