Exelon Patch is the only mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease medicine that comes in the form of a patch. It releases medication continuously for 24 hours. As a patch, medication is absorbed through the skin and may be an option for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Exelon Patch can be taken whether or not your loved has eaten. By writing the date and time on the patch, caregivers have visual reassurance of when their loved one was given the medication.
Only one Exelon Patch should be worn at a time.
The medicine comes from one patch, composed of four, ultra-thin layers:
- First layer is the shell
- Second layer contains the medicine
- Third layer is an adhesive
- Fourth layer is the release line, which is removed when you apply the patch
After 4 weeks on the Exelon Patch
How do you know which, dosage strength of Exelon Patch is right for your loved one? Your doctor may start him or her on the initial daily dose of 4.6 mg/24 hours. After 4 weeks, if your loved one is tolerating the medication, ask the doctor if introducing the recommended effective dose of 9.5 mg/24 hours is right for your loved one.
When greater benefit is needed while on the 9.5 mg/24 hours patch and if still well tolerated for 4 weeks, your loved one's doctor may prescribe the maximum effective dose of 13.3 mg/24 hours. This is our highest dose available and can be part of a treatment plan where a more effective dose is needed.
EXELON PATCH
4.6 mg/24 hrs
AMCX
Starting dose
EXELON PATCH
9.5 mg/24 hrs
BHDI
Recommended effective dose
EXELON PATCH
13.3 mg/24 hrs
CNFU
Maximum effective dose
Mistakes in using EXELON PATCH have resulted in serious side effects; some cases have required hospitalization, and rarely, led to death. 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.
