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Exelon (rivastigmine)
Rivastigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes, increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain to improve cognitive function in dementia.
Rivastigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes, increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain to improve cognitive function in dementia. Used for Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, Mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia.
At a glance
| Generic name | Exelon (rivastigmine) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Singapore General Hospital |
| Drug class | Cholinesterase inhibitor |
| Target | Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
By blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter critical for memory and cognition, rivastigmine increases its availability in the central nervous system. This dual inhibition of both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase distinguishes it from other cholinesterase inhibitors. The increased acetylcholine helps compensate for neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Approved indications
- Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
- Mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
Key clinical trials
- Rivastigmine Transdermal Patches Bioequivalence and Adhesion Assessment (PHASE1)
- Intravenous Infusion of Umbilical Cord Blood as an Adjunctive Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Masitinib in Patients With Mild Alzheimer's Disease (PHASE3)
- CHIEF-PD (CHolinesterase Inhibitor to prEvent Falls in Parkinson's Disease) (PHASE3)
- Quality Improvement and Practice Based Research in Neurology Using the EMR (PHASE4)
- Rivastigmine for Antimuscarinic Delirium (PHASE2)
- Rivastigmine to Prevent Recurrence of Antimuscarinic Delirium (PHASE2)
- Toward a Computationally-Informed, Personalized Treatment for Hallucinations (EARLY_PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Exelon (rivastigmine) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Exelon (rivastigmine) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Singapore General Hospital portfolio CI