Does anyone have any experience with the Exelon patch? My husband just started the 4.6 mg patch on Monday, prior to that he was on 1.5 mg of Exelon tablets. How long did it take to notice a change, if any? Side effects? I know it's different for everyone...just wanting some information.
According to what we were told by one of our social workers who works closely with doctors, is that the medicine in the patch works the same as the medicine in the tablets. The difference is that the patch is tolerated better because the meds. don't go through the stomach. Any adverse stomach side effects from the tablets should disappear when the patch is used.
If anyone has any more or differing information, please let us know.
Our doctor once mentioned switching to the Exelon patch from Reminyl and I believe he said it has been shown more effective in cases where AD runs in families. He has changed his mind and is waiting to put my husband in the vaccine study providing he is elible when it finally gets going.
Robert is on the exelon patch. He has been for about 3 months now. We (his parents and I) noticed a small change after about 3 weeks. He has gotten progressively better. It seems to have leveled off now, but he is doing very well.
We've come from him not knowing how to write a check to driving himself to stores and doing his own shopping. He still can't organize himself enough to pack a suitcase, but he is much more conversational and just more "with it".
We've been very happy with the patch. I will say though that the biggest changes were noticed after Namenda was added.
My husb has been on Exelon for just over 4 years @ the max dose of 6 mg 2x's a day...but I've noticed some highs & lows...the neurologist recently recommended using the Patch to have the drug in his system continually as the patch is more of a slow-release type distribution vs. the "pill" form. Just wondering if anyone else is using the Patch & if you've noticed any 'changes'. We used our first 24-hour patch yesterday -- applied the 2nd one about an hour ago. Today's mood was a little more 'serious' and nothing I said seemed to be able to bring him out of it. He's better tonite, but just wondering if anyone out there is using Patch?? Thanks! Debbie in Texas
natsmom-I have heard from many people that they had to discontinue the patch because of local irritation that became quite severe. Hope it doesn't happen to your husb
Thanks bluedaze - the dr. mentioned this, but so far, nothing on the spot where he had it for 24 hours. The dr. said to put it on a different spot each day & ever to put it on the same spot for 14 days...something else to keep up with -- a chart for the back! HA! We are going tomorrow to get a "back wax" -- he isn't all that hairy on his back and has had this done before...just thinking it might help with the peeling off of the patch. I'll keep a watch out for the irritation.
I am going to put on a place other than back for tomorrow eve's patch...then day after that, start the back. Hopefully after that full 24 hours, it will be okay. The person I go to knows what we are dealing with, and also the neuro didn't think it would be a problem to 'wax'. hopefully it will all be okay.
MY DH has been on the patch for about 6 weeks...couldn't tolerate the other drugs, so no choice. We haven't noticed any bad side effects so far. He stll is on a roller coaster ride, but not nearly as prominate as before..patch effects? No clue. He says he still feels the rage build in him, but has been controlling it as best he can. At least he is aware of it..and says he just HATES it when the rage builds.
The irritation is from the adhesive..why it can't be solved is a mystery. It can get really very irritating..had it when I was on a hormone patch. Very important to keep moving it around.
It is getting late (2:05 am here). My DH has been using the Exelon patch since mid-November 2007. I can'at say I notice any improvement but I believe the medicine is suppose to slow down the progression. He has also been on Namenda since early May 2008. At first I thought I noticed an improvement but not so much now. Our neurologist said it would only slow down the progression for maybe 6-12 months. That's not a very long time is it.
Mawzy, I have seen statements like your neuro made and wondered where they got such an idea. Somebody finally explained it, but of course, now I can't find the details. It had something to do with the very first clinical trial having been set up to last only six months, so way back in the beginning, the FDA only allowed the drug company to claim that it would work for six months. Subsequent trials showed the drug would work far longer than that. But some of the doctors who heard the first approval details don't seem to have kept up on the more recent trials/approvals.
Namenda has been approved for treating moderate and severe AD. In the trials conducted to date, it has not shown efficacy (by itself) in the earliest stages.
Exelon has been approved for treating mild and moderate AD, and clinical trials are now under way to evaluate efficacy at both ends of the scale -- mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and moderate to severe AD.
My husband has been on namenda for three years, and huperzine A (a natural cholinesterase inhibitor -- exelon is a synthetic) for a little over two years. He improved quite a bit when first put on the namenda, and he's been holding fairly steady on the combination of the two drugs.
Natsmom, My husband was on the Exelon patch for 6 months and just last week was switched to Namenda. We didn't notice any improvements with the patch, but everyone is different right? The only time he experienced skin irritation was if I accidentally left the patch on for longer than 24 hrs, then there was a bit of redness. We alternated back, shoulders, chest for placement. Don't know where you live, but here in AZ if the patch is exposed to extreme heat (like our 110 degree weather) something happens to the adhesive and the patch comes off.
I hope your husband will experience some success with the Exelon!
DW was switched from Razadyne to Exelon Patch (9.5 mg) 2 months ago. I don't see any difference, so may suggest going back to Razadyne when it becomes generic (I think someone said in Dec). She has been on Namenda for 3-4 years. Putting the patch on is one more thing to add to the morning routine, while giving a pill is just another among several. Fortunately, she had no side effects from the Razadyne, although did have serious problems with Aricept (vomiting and diarrhea).
My husband has been on Namenda since June '07 and on the Exelon patch since September. I have not seen any improvement but he seems to be about the same. A year withou serious deterioration is, I suppose, something to be very happy about. His MMSE and ADAS/Cognitive test scores have not changed a lot. The Exelon patch does irritate his skin - it itches and leaves red spots. One dr suggested applying cortizone cream, another suggested Lanacaine. Both give some relief but it's not long lasting.
Dee, see if your doctors will consider switching from Exelon to huperzine A. It is reportedly more effective and has fewer side effects, and it is a whale of a lot cheaper (about $5 per month.) The FDA hasn't given its royal blessing yet, because the clinical trials aren't finished, but it's widely used in China, and it's readily available over-the-counter here as an "herbal supplement."
Well, my DH went for a "back waxing" today in anticipation of using the Patch...the last time he was 'waxed' was in July of 2004 and we were heading out to the beach...he did well then, but today, WHOA! It was not good!! We in fact did NOT get the wax done...the first 'rip' was met with "OUCH"!! Then the next rip was "OUCH - NO MORE!" Needless to say, that was it indeed!! We'll 'shave' a little, if we need to -- so far, after 2 days of the patch, no irritation, altho some 'crankiness' tonite, but that's pretty normal every now & then in the evening...he was better @ bedtime. I am thankful :) Thanks for ALL of you for the "tips" and suggestions :)
I've read about huperzine A but now that he is in the vaccine trial he is asked not to change any meds unless absolutely necessary. Yes, the cost of Exelon & Namenda is outrageous. We have been in the 'doughnut hole' since June!
OK, one suggestion that I've seen on other sites is to get a prescription for Flonase, and put it on daily where the old patch was taken off. It apparently has helped with the itching, but not the redness.
i use patches for something else and they do itch and can be red in certain areas/ try to put it where it wont be in a crease or will rub clothing.i always use a cotton swab with rubbing alchohol when i take it off over the area and next day is ok. be sure to change areas for new ones. divvi
The 'write-up' that comes in the box said that 'no change' was about all to be expected. The meds would not improve the situation. I don't have that paper any more--I've got so much paper around here I can't find the top of the desk. But, I'm going to re-read the info with the next prescription.
Also, I am going to ask if he can be changed from Exelon to Huperzine A. I think he will be in the donut hole with the next prescription. I complained to the pharmacist (really smart move!). She said Exelon patch was one of the most expensive meds she carried. I think we need something cheaper.
Now when I start saving all of this S$$, (from cheaper meds), I may start a little account with the money. When I get a bundle of cash, I may buy something great with it. Or, maybe, I'll just save it and buy more meds. Sheeze. It's gotta end someplace. Anyone out there seeing a rainbow???