Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule

Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule is a prescription medicine that contains 4.5 mg of rivastigmine in each capsule. It belongs to a group of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors and is used to help treat mild to moderate dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease dementia. Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule does not cure dementia, but it may help support memory, thinking, and daily functioning in some people. This specific capsule strength is typically used after a lower dose has been tolerated and before moving to higher strengths.

How it works: Rivastigmine works by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. By keeping more of this chemical available, Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule may help improve or stabilize thinking skills for some patients.

Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule is a mid-strength capsule, so it is not usually the first dose a patient starts on. Compared with Exelon 1.5 mg Capsule and Exelon 3 mg Capsule, it delivers a larger amount of rivastigmine and is often chosen when a doctor wants to increase treatment step by step. It may be preferred when a lower strength was tolerated but more symptom support is needed before advancing to Exelon 6 mg Capsule.

• Mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
• Mild to moderate dementia related to Parkinson’s disease
• Treatment to help support memory and cognition
• May help with attention, reasoning, and daily activities

• Swallow Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule whole with water, unless your doctor gives different instructions.
• Take it with food to help reduce stomach upset.
• Take it exactly at the time and frequency prescribed; many patients take it twice daily.
• If you miss a dose, do not double up unless your prescriber specifically tells you to.
• If you stop taking it for several days, ask your doctor before restarting because the dose may need to be reduced and built up again.

Each Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule contains 4.5 mg of rivastigmine. Depending on the treatment plan, it may be taken once daily or more commonly twice daily, but the exact schedule and the maximum daily dose are set by the prescriber based on tolerance and response.

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

Common side effects of Rivastigmine may include:

• Nausea, which may be more noticeable when moving up to the 4.5 mg strength
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Tremor or shakiness
• Headache

• Do not use Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule if you have had an allergic reaction to rivastigmine or similar medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart rhythm problems, fainting, ulcers, seizures, asthma, COPD, or urinary blockage.
• This higher strength can cause more stomach side effects than lower strengths, especially when the dose is increased too quickly.
• Use caution when driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy, weak, or sleepy.
• Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, especially other drugs that slow the heart rate.
• If you have stopped the medicine for more than a few days, do not restart Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule on your own.
• Alcohol can worsen dizziness or stomach upset in some people taking rivastigmine.

• Beta blockers such as metoprolol or propranolol
• Other cholinesterase inhibitors or medicines with similar effects
• Anticholinergic medicines, which may work less well with rivastigmine
• Medicines that affect heart rhythm or slow the heartbeat
• NSAIDs or blood thinners may raise concern if stomach irritation or bleeding occurs

Store Exelon 4.5 mg Capsule at room temperature in its original strip or box, away from excess heat, moisture, and light.