EXELON PATCH is also used to treat people with mild to moderate memory.
How to Use Transdermal Patches; How to Use Vaginal Tablets, Suppositories, and Creams; How to Use Transdermal Patches. 1 Read the patient information for use before using your patch. If the patch cannot be pressed back on. Fentanyl transdermal (skin patch).
Avoid exposing the NEUPRO patch you are wearing to heating pads, electric. A study conducted with the Fentanyl Transdermal system patch in elderly patients demonstrated that fentanyl pharmacokinetics did not differ significantly. You should wear the Fentanyl Transdermal patch continuously for 3.
Fentanyl Transdermal Patch: Medline. Plus Drug Information. Fentanyl patches may cause serious or life- threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 2.
Your doctor will monitor you carefully during your treatment. Because of this serious risk, fentanyl patches should only be used to treat people who are tolerant (used to the effects of the medication) to opioid medications because they have taken this type of medication for at least one week and should not be used to treat mild or moderate pain, short- term pain, pain after an operation or medical or dental procedure, or pain that can be controlled by medication that is taken as needed. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had slowed breathing or asthma. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use fentanyl patches. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways), a head injury, or any condition that increases the amount of pressure in your brain. The risk that you will develop breathing problems may be higher if you are an older adult or are weak or malnourished due to disease.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: slowed breathing, long pauses between breaths, or shortness of breath. Taking certain medications with fentanyl may increase the risk of serious or life- threatening breathing problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or plan to take any of the following medications: amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone); aprepitant (Emend); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Teril); certain antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilt- CD, Diltzac, Taztia); erythromycin (E- Mycin, Erythrocin); fosamprenavir (Lexiva); nefazodone; nelfinavir (Viracept); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); troleandomycin (TAO) (not available in the United States); and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan). Your doctor may need to change the dosages of your medications and will monitor you carefully. Fentanyl patches may be habit- forming. Do not apply more patches, apply the patches more often, or use the patches in a different way than prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family drinks or has ever drunk large amounts of alcohol; uses or has overused prescription medications; uses or has ever used street drugs; or has or has ever had depression or another mental illness. There is a greater risk that you will overuse fentanyl patches if you have or have ever had any of these conditions. Do not allow anyone else to use your medication.
Fentanyl patches may harm or cause death to other adults and children who use them. Store fentanyl patches in a safe place so that no one else can use them accidentally or on purpose. Be especially careful to keep fentanyl patches out of the reach of children. Keep track of how many patches are left so you will know if any are missing.
People who are not being treated with fentanyl patches may be seriously harmed or may die if the sticky side of a patch touches their skin. Be careful not to allow the sticky side of the patch to touch anyone else's skin. If you are holding or caring for children, make sure that they do not touch your patch. If the patch accidentally comes off of your body and sticks to another person's skin, immediately remove the patch, wash the area with clear water, and get emergency medical attention. Fentanyl patches that have been worn for 3 days still contain enough medication to cause serious harm or death to adults or children who are not being treated with the medication. Never throw used or unused patches in a trash can or leave them in a place where they may be found by others, especially children.
Dispose of used and unwanted patches properly according to instructions. This can cause serious or life- threatening symptoms. Do not expose your patch or the skin around it to direct heat such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, and heated water beds. Do not take long, hot baths or sunbathe while you are wearing the patch. Your patch may also release too much medication if you have a fever or if you get very hot after physical activity. Avoid physical activity that might cause you to get very hot. Call your doctor right away if you have a fever.
Your doctor may need to adjust your dose. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use fentanyl patches regularly during your pregnancy, your baby may experience life- threatening withdrawal symptoms after birth. Tell your baby's doctor right away if your baby experiences any of the following symptoms: irritability, hyperactivity, abnormal sleep, high- pitched cry, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, vomiting, diarrhea, or failure to gain weight. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with fentanyl patches and each time you fill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http: //www. Drugs/Drug. Safety/ucm.
Medication Guide. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.
EXELON PATCH should also not be used if the patient has had a skin reaction that spread beyond the patch size, had blisters, increased skin redness, or swelling, or did not get better within 4. EXELON PATCH. Most mistakes have involved not removing the old patch when putting on a new one and the use of multiple patches at one time. Only one EXELON PATCH should be worn at a time. If you accidentally apply more than one EXELON PATCH, remove all of them and inform the doctor immediately.
EXELON PATCH can also cause serious stomach side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, decreased appetite, weight loss, and bleeding in your stomach (ulcers). 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. For this reason, treatment should be initiated with EXELON PATCH at a dose of 4. If you have not taken EXELON PATCH for more than 3 days, do not start taking it again until you have talked with a doctor.
Some people have had a serious skin reaction called allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) when using EXELON PATCH. Stop using EXELON PATCH and call your health care provider right away if you experience reactions that spread beyond the patch size, are intense in nature, and do not improve within 4. Symptoms of ACD may be intense and include itching, redness, swelling, warmth or tenderness of the skin, or peeling or blistering of the skin, which may ooze, drain, or crust over. The most common side effects of EXELON PATCH include depression, headache, anxiety, dizziness, stomach pain, urinary tract infections, muscle weakness, tiredness, and trouble sleeping. Weight should be checked while the person is using EXELON PATCH. Weight loss/loss of appetite may occur. People below 5. 0 kg (1.
EXELON PATCH due to these side effects. People at risk for stomach ulcers or who take certain medicines should tell their doctor before starting EXELON PATCH, because serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, may occur. EXELON PATCH may cause fainting or slow heart rate; people with certain heart conditions should tell their doctor before starting therapy. People with serious lung conditions and difficulty breathing, bladder problems, or seizures should consult their doctor before using EXELON PATCH. Extrapyramidal symptoms (e. Parkinsonian symptoms, particularly tremor, have worsened in Parkinson’s disease dementia patients treated with EXELON (rivastigmine tartrate) capsules. Before using EXELON PATCH, people should also tell their doctor about any medical conditions they have, including if they have had a loss of appetite or are losing weight, or if they have had a skin reaction to rivastigmine (the medicine in EXELON PATCH) in the past.
People on EXELON PATCH who feel dizzy or drowsy should not drive or use machines. Tell the doctor about all other prescription or nonprescription medicines the patient is taking. EXELON PATCH should not be taken at the same time as metoclopramide (used to treat heartburn, nausea, and vomiting) and with medicines that have a similar effect on the body and the brain (cholinomimetic agents) or with anticholinergic medicines.
EXELON PATCH should not be taken at the same time as medicines that reduce your blood pressure (beta- blockers). Inform the doctor if the patient needs surgery requiring anesthesia while using EXELON PATCH. Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www. fda. gov/medwatch, or call 1- 8. FDA- 1. 08. 8. Novartis is proud to offer Patient Assistance Now, an easy- to- use, comprehensive resource that allows you to access programs that may help you pay for your Novartis medicines.
