Common Side Effects of the Rivastigmine Patch
The
rivastigmine patch has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these trials, one group of people was given the real medication, while another group was given a placebo (a patch with no active ingredients). This way, it is possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group who took the placebo.
It is important to note that these studies sometimes used a
rivastigmine patch dosage that is higher than is currently recommended, which increases the risk of side effects.
In these studies, the most common side effects of the rivastigmine patch included:
- Nausea -- in up to 21 percent of people
- Vomiting -- up to 19 percent
- Diarrhea -- up to 10 percent
- Decreased appetite -- up to 9 percent
- Weight loss -- up to 8 percent (see Exelon Patch and Weight Loss).
Other common side effects, occurring in 2 to 7 percent of people, included:
Less Common Side Effects of the Rivastigmine Patch
Rare side effects of the rivastigmine patch occurred in less than 1 percent of people using it. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to tell whether they are actually caused by the medication or something else. There is a good chance that these "side effects" could be completely unrelated to the rivastigmine patch.
These less common side effects include but are not limited to:
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