"Exelon" (plaster): price, reviews and instructions for use

Such terrible ailments, as Alzheimer's disease, unfortunately, for today practically do not give in to treatment. Nevertheless, there are some drugs that can significantly slow down the development of disorders of the nervous system. This group includes the medicinal product "Exelon". The plaster is convenient in application and gives quite good results, which makes it in demand in modern medicine. So what is in the composition of the drug and how does it affect the body? How much does the band-aid cost? What does the treatment plan look like? The answers to these questions are of interest to many patients.

Form of medicine and composition description

The drug "Exelon" - plaster, which is a so-called transdermal therapeutic system. In the pharmacy you can buy a small patch of oval shape, white, with a beige substrate. The area of the contact surface is 5 square centimeters.

The main active substance of the drug is rivastigmine. There are patches containing 9 and 18 mg of this component. When wearing a plaster, the medicine gradually enters the body - within a day a little more than the full dose (4.6 and 9.5 mg, respectively).

The preparation also contains some auxiliary substances, in particular acrylic copolymer, alpha-tocopherol, butyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate. In addition, the adhesive layer comprises a silicone oil and a silicone copolymer.

Pharmacological properties of the preparation

The main component of the drug rivastigmine is a selective inhibitor of cholinesterase in the brain. This substance slows down the destruction of acetylcholine, which is produced by functionally preserved neurons, and also improves the processes of synaptic transmission.

The use of the drug can increase the level of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex, as well as in the hippocampus, which leads to an improvement in cholinergic transmission. And since dementia in Alzheimer's disease and a decrease in cognitive functions of the brain are mainly associated with a deficiency of acetylcholine, the drug does help to normalize the work of the nervous system. In addition, there are data that confirm that this drug slows down the synthesis of beta-amyloid and prevents the formation of amyloid plaques, which are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

Indications for use

In modern medicine this drug is used quite often, but the indications for its reception are quite specific - it is a weak or moderately expressed dementia in Alzheimer's disease. In this case, the use of the patch is possible both in the presence of the disease and in the case of suspicions of its development (in this case it helps to slow the manifestation of the disease).

Plaster "Exelon": instruction

Of course, many patients are interested in questions about how to properly apply this tool. In no case should you use it on your own. Only the attending physician after a thorough examination has the right to recommend a patch to the patient "Exelon". The instruction contains the necessary recommendations.

As a rule, therapy begins with a lower dose, namely with a patch, which provides the body with 4.6 mg of active substance per day. If the drug for several weeks is well tolerated by the body, does not cause any side effects and impairments, the dose is increased to 9.5 mg of rivastigmine per day. The duration of therapy is determined exclusively by the doctor - the treatment can be carried out for several months, sometimes even years, if the medicine gives a positive effect. Sometimes the patch can be replaced with tablets or injections of the solution "Exelon" or some other medicines.

In the event that it was necessary to interrupt the therapy for a few days or more, re-start the treatment again with a minimum dose of the active substance.

Are there any contraindications?

There are some contraindications to the use of the medicine "Exelon". The patch should not be used in patients suffering from hypersensitivity to rivastigmine or any other component of the drug.

With caution, this drug is prescribed for people suffering from bronchial asthma or other obstructive diseases of the respiratory system. Relative contraindications also include the predisposition of patients to obstruction of the urinary tract and convulsive syndrome. Careful treatment of patients with violations of the liver, as well as patients whose body weight does not exceed 50 kg.

Many people are wondering whether the medicine "Exelon" can be used during pregnancy and lactation. The plaster is prescribed to pregnant women only in case of emergency, since the corresponding studies that would confirm the harmlessness or, conversely, the danger of this remedy for the mother and child, have not yet been carried out. If there is a need to apply a patch during lactation, then breastfeeding of the baby should be stopped.

Possible side effects of patch application

Are there any complications when applying the Exelon patch? The doctors' testimonies indicate that adverse reactions develop comparatively rarely, especially when compared with taking a tablet form of the drug. Nevertheless, violations are possible, and their list should be read:

• Most often, therapy leads to disruption of the digestive system, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia. Very rarely on the background of therapy ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane develop.
• Some reactions from the nervous system are possible, including anxiety, delirium, fainting, headaches, depressive states, hallucinations.
• Some patients reported minor skin allergic reactions, including rash and redness. Sometimes, the place of fixing the patch develops erythema or inflammation.
• From the side of the cardiovascular system, cerebral blood flow disorders, bradycardia are possible.
• Other possible side effects include anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, fever, insomnia, urinary tract infections.

In the presence of any violations necessarily need to consult a doctor. Perhaps, this drug is not suitable for the patient, and perhaps it is only necessary to correct the dosage.

Overdose and its symptoms

Is an overdose possible when using the drug "Exelon" (plaster)? The instructions for use contain information that such cases are rarely recorded and, as a rule, are not too dangerous. Symptoms of accidental overdose are increased blood pressure, nausea, sometimes vomiting, and hallucinations. Very rarely bradycardia or fainting. Specific treatment, as a rule, is not required. After stopping the reception the body comes back to normal after 1-2 days.

Are there any effective counterparts?

Of course, not all fit this drug. Is it possible to replace the drug "Exelon"? Analogues of it, of course, exist, but only the attending physician can find the right one.

Quite often, patients with a similar diagnosis are prescribed "Alzenororm". Good results can be obtained using such drugs as "Chloprotixen" and "Memantine." Also, to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, patients are often recommended taking the drug "Noogeron." But it is worth noting that all of the above described drugs are available in tablets, capsules or injectable solutions. In some cases, the patch is much more convenient to use.

How much does the band-aid cost?

Of course, for many patients an important issue is the cost of a medication. So how much will the band-aid "Exelon" cost? The price will depend on many factors. In particular, in consideration it is necessary to take firm-manufacturer, a dosage of an active substance, etc. Packing from 30 plasters costs about 3600-4500 rubles. As a rule, this amount of the drug is enough for a month. By the way, it must be said that in some clinics this medicine is given free of charge, according to a prescription to patients with Alzheimer's disease (ask this information from the attending physician).

Plaster "Exelon": reviews

In some cases, much more useful information can be obtained by reading the opinions and experiences of patients who have already completed treatment. So what do they say about the drug "Exelon"? The reviews are mostly positive. Experts point out that the correct use of the medicine really helps to eliminate some symptoms and improve the patient's condition.

How effective is the band-aid "Exelon"? The patients' testimonies indicate that positive results do exist. In some cases, the progression of the disease can be slowed down for a year or for a longer time. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to understand that Alzheimer's syndrome is a very difficult condition and there is no cure for today. Therefore, do not take the plaster as a guarantee of recovery, since it, unfortunately, is impossible.