Rivastigmine by Ray Sahelian, M.D. benefit and side effect of rivastigmine

Rivastigmine, a drug prescribed for Alzheimer's dementia, may improve memory in traumatic brain injury patients only in those with severe memory loss. In the overall analysis, rivastigmine was no better than placebo in helping patients improve their memory. Neurology, September 12, 2006.

Inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase provide a modest symptomatic benefit for a majority of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Cholinergic "secondary" effects are variable, but sometimes quite invalidating. Nausea and vomiting appear to be linked to peak plasma concentration of the drug. A transdermal patch of rivastigmine is available that allows to obtain a lower peak of concentration, less gastro-intestinal side effects, and an efficacy similar to the oral capsules of rivastigmine.