A Skin Patch for Alzheimer’s

Several drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors are able to slow the progress of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease - donepezil (Aricept®), galantamine (Reminyl®), and rivastigmine (Exelon®). Now one of these will shortly be made available as a skin patch, according to reports from the manufacturers, Novartis. Exelon Patch® is a rivastigmine transdermal ‘system’ that is available in two sizes – 5 square cm and 10 square cm, delivering 4.6 or 9.5 mg every 24 hours, respectively.

The patch is preferred over capsules by 70% of caregivers – it’s easier to use in a treatment schedule and interferes less with the patient’s daily life. Clinically, application of the 9.5 mg/day patch and twice-daily 6 mg capsules both yield significant improvements in cognitive function compared to placebo. It can also be used to treat mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Doubtless new dosage forms of the other cholinesterase inhibitors will follow. Each fresh approval represents a small step in the attempts to master this distressing condition.