RESOURCES
FDA Approves Dementia
Patch
Alzheimer patients can receive treatment for dementia through
a new patch which recently gained approval from the FDA.
The patch is beneficial, relative to the pill form containing
the same drug, Exelon or rivastigmine. Medicine from the patch
enters the bloodstream directly and provides a steady and
continuous stream of medicine. This also eliminates some of
the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the pill
form.
The drug is meant to treat patients with mild to moderate
dementia in patients with Alzheimer’s disease as well as mild
to moderate dementia in patients with Parkinson’s disease,
according to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
The medication rivastigmine inhibits the breakdown of a chemical
in the brain called acetylcholine which is thought to be important
for learning and memory. It is not a cure for dementia.
The patch is made by Germany’s LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme
AG and distributed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
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