Generic Exelon

Common use

Exelon contains rivastigmine tartrate which is a selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase in the brain. The drug increases levels of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Acetylcholine is an important substance for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning. Its levels are usually low in people with dementia. Exelon is used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. It improves the basic parameters of cognitive function, activity (in daily life), reduces the severity of Alzheimer's disease symptoms.



Dosage and direction

Initial dose of Exelon is 1.5 mg taken two times a day and separated by twelve hours. If the dose is well tolerated after two weeks of treatment it may be increased up to 3 mg daily divided into two intakes. Further increase of the dose to 4 mg taken twice a day and to the maximal one of 6 mg also taken twice daily is possible.



Precautions

Cautiousness is needed in treatment of the patients with sick sinus syndrome, severe arrhythmias, respiratory diseases, ones predisposed to development of gastrointestinal ulcers, urinary tract obstruction and convulsions.



Contraindications

This medication cannot be administered to the patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment.



Possible side effect

The most frequent side effects reported about Exelon are nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting, loss of appetite, anorexia, abdominal pain, black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit similar to coffee grounds, feeling light-headed, fainting, chest pain, headache, confusion, agitation, extreme fear, pain or burning while urination.



Drug interaction

Exelon is able to decrease activity of anticholinergic drugs, enhance activity of cholinomimetics including muscle relaxants of succinylcholine type (during anesthesia). Inform your doctor about all prescribed drugs and herbal products and supplements you currently take and especially about atropine (Donnatal, and others), clidinium (Quarzan), belladonna, dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), mepenzolate (Cantil), methscopolamine (Pamine), methantheline (Provocholine), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop).



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your doses at about the same time each day to avoid missing a dose.



Overdose

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fainting, feeling light-headed, drooling, muscle weakness, sweating, slow or irregular heartbeat, shallow breathing, or convulsions.



Storage

Store Exelon at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F) away from moisture and heat.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)