6 May 2010
The Department of Health (DH) today (May 6) drew attention to the proper use and application of Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal patch), stressing that the patch should be used according to the dose prescribed by doctors.
After learning the alert issued by Health Canada through its surveillance scheme, DH assessed its local relevance and decided to warn against serious adverse events, including death, which occurred after rivastigmine overdose due to medication errors and misuse of Exelon Patch as well.
The medicine is distributed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals(HK) Ltd. and is used for treatment of dementia in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
A DH spokesman said two products containing rivastigmine, Exelon Patch 5 (registration no. HK-56982)and Exelon Patch 10 (registration no. HK-56983) are registered in Hong Kong. They can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist.
According to manufacturer's instruction, not more than one patch should be used per day.
Typical symptoms reported in association with overdose of Exelon Patch included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypertension, hallucinations, salivation, sweating, respiratory depression and convulsions. Slow heart rate and syncope may also occur.
The spokesman said healthcare professionals should keep their patients fully informed of the dose and proper use of Exelon Patch prior to initiating therapy and advise them to strictly follow instructions on patch usage.
Patients and care-takers should follow the following advice:
- Only one transdermal patch should be applied per day to healthy skin;
- The previous day's patch must be removed before applying a new patch to a different skin location after 24 hours of use;
- The patch should not be cut into pieces; and
- In case of adverse effects with the use of the concerned products, all Exelon transdermal patches should be immediately removed and healthcare advice should be sought.