Transdermal rivastigmine in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: current and future directions

Abstract

Despite the fact that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is exponentially increasing, we have not yet been able to develop a new treatment to modify the course of the disease. This vacuum makes the traditional cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist the only accessible pharmacotherapy options for the treatment of this disease. Among these medications, the only available transdermal patch at this time is the rivastigmine patch. This patch provides significantly lower gastrointestinal adverse effects. A higher tolerability rate provides the option for physicians to continue treatment with higher doses of rivastigmine in advanced stages of AD. Moreover, ease of use, easy-to-follow schedule, less administration time spent by the caregiver result in greater adherent to the treatment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive drug profile for transdermal rivastigmine, to review currently available treatment options, and to try to anticipate future treatment directions for AD.

Keywords::

• Alzheimer’s disease
• cholinesterase inhibitors
• N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist
• transdermal rivastigmine patch

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.