Exelon 3 mg Capsule

Exelon 3 mg Capsule contains 3 mg of rivastigmine in each capsule. Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to help manage symptoms of mild to moderate dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Exelon 3 mg Capsule does not cure these conditions, but it may help improve or stabilize memory, thinking, and daily functioning in some patients.

How it works: Rivastigmine works by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical the brain needs for memory and learning. By keeping more of this messenger available, Exelon 3 mg Capsule can help support brain function in people with dementia.

Exelon 3 mg Capsule is one of the mid-range capsule strengths in the Exelon line, sitting above Exelon 1.5 mg Capsule and below Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule and Exelon 6 mg Capsule. Doctors may choose Exelon 3 mg Capsule after a lower dose has been tolerated or when a patient needs a step up in therapy that still allows careful dose adjustment.

• Mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
• Mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease dementia
• Symptom management of memory and thinking problems
• Support for daily function in dementia care

• Swallow Exelon 3 mg Capsule whole with water; do not crush, chew, or open it.
• Take it with food to help reduce nausea and stomach upset.
• If your doctor tells you to take it twice daily, space the doses evenly about 12 hours apart.
• Take it exactly as prescribed; this capsule is a prescription medicine and is not meant to be self-adjusted.
• If you miss a dose, follow your prescriber’s instructions and do not double the next dose unless you were specifically told to do so.

Exelon 3 mg Capsule provides 3 mg of rivastigmine per capsule, which is a higher capsule strength than the 1.5 mg capsule and is often used after lower doses have been tolerated. The dose is usually taken once or twice daily depending on the treatment plan, and the maximum total daily dose is set by the doctor based on response and tolerability. Do not increase or decrease the dose on your own, because rivastigmine dosing must be individualized.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Rivastigmine may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain or indigestion

• Use extra caution if you have heart rhythm problems, a history of fainting, or low blood pressure.
• Tell your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, GI bleeding, or frequent vomiting.
• This capsule may cause dizziness or fainting, so be careful driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you.
• Alcohol can worsen dizziness, nausea, or dehydration.
• Tell your clinician about asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems before starting treatment.
• Use caution if you are very underweight or have poor appetite, since rivastigmine can reduce weight further.
• Do not take it more often or at a higher dose than prescribed, since this 3 mg strength may be too strong for some patients if titrated too quickly.

• Other cholinergic medicines or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
• Anticholinergic drugs such as oxybutynin or some antihistamines
• Beta-blockers that can further slow the heart rate
• Medicines that may increase bleeding risk, including aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin
• Alcohol, which may worsen dizziness or stomach upset

Store Exelon 3 mg Capsule at room temperature in its original strip/box, away from moisture, heat, and out of reach of children.