An overview of the rivastigmine 13.3 mg/24h transdermal patch as a treatment option for Alzheimer's disease

Introduction: Rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, was first approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia more than 20 years ago. Initially available as an oral formulation, a transdermal system was subsequently developed with the aim of improving tolerability while prov...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Fortea, Juan|||0000-0002-1340-638X, Ferrer-Picón, Elena
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:uabarcelona_::c24fd41497bbee2bc9f4fb74e5474992
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/328726
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1080/14737175.2025.2527211
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Alzheimer’s disease
Cholinesterase inhibitor
Dementia
Rivastigmine
Transdermal patch
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction: Rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, was first approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia more than 20 years ago. Initially available as an oral formulation, a transdermal system was subsequently developed with the aim of improving tolerability while providing similar efficacy. Transdermal rivastigmine is approved for the treatment of severe AD as well as mild-to-moderate AD. Areas covered: Herein, the authors review randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and post-marketing observational studies involving the rivastigmine 13.3 mg/24 h patch for the treatment of patients with AD. Expert opinion: Cholinesterase inhibitors are a mainstay of the symptomatic treatment of patients with AD. Rivastigmine is available as oral and transdermal formulations, with the latter providing improved tolerability and convenience while maintaining efficacy. The high-dose 13.3 mg/24 h patch might offer benefits for some patients compared to the lower dose patch (4.6 mg/24 h) in patients with mild-to-moderate or severe AD, showing improvements in daily functioning and global clinical status on top of the cognitive benefits. The ability to titrate up to a dose of 13.3 mg/24 h provides an option for patients with severe AD or with an inadequate response to lower doses of rivastigmine.