Skip to main content RSS Info Close Search Facebook Twitter
Location
Category
Providers / Vacancies
Feedback

First skin patch for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

The first and only skin patch treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease is now available in Australia and will be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 July 2008.

Exelon(r) (rivastigmine) Patch is a once-daily patch that provides smooth and continuous delivery of medication through the skin over 24 hours, offering people with Alzheimer’s disease an easy to use, well tolerated and effective treatment to address their symptoms.

“Exelon Patch is the first major advancement in Alzheimer’s disease for many years, offering people an alternative to current oral medications,” said Associate Professor Michael Woodward, head of aged care at Austin Health, Heidleberg, Victoria.

“The novel delivery system enables a continuous release of medication into the bloodstream over 24 hours, contributing to fewer side effects and therefore potential for improved outcomes in patients.”

In studies, the use of Exelon Patch resulted in significant improvements in memory and thinking compared to placebo and patients were better able to perform everyday activities. Patients also reported three times fewer gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting than those taking the oral form of the medication.

Designed with compliance in mind, Exelon Patch was preferred by more than seven in 10 carers as a method of drug delivery because it helped them to follow treatment schedules, interfered less with their daily life and was easier to use than oral medication.

“Exelon Patch is an important new addition to existing treatments,” said Professor Henry Brodaty, director of the Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales.

“The benefits of the patch may allow carers to better manage, treat and therefore reduce some of the burden associated with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Share this article

Read next

Subscribe

Subscribe to our Talking Aged Care newsletter to get our latest articles, delivered straight to your inbox
  1. Eighty years after getting married, this couple lives together...
  2. Who says your age should limit your dreams?
  3. Data from a recently released report highlights a concerning...
  4. With an ageing and growing population, data from the...
  5. Approximately 411,000 Australians are estimated to be living...
  6. How could you benefit from attending university as an older...

Recent articles

  1. What is a lesser known impact of hearing loss for older...
  2. Are there options for older Australians to live in the same...
  3. The new initiative brings older Aussies together to see the...
  4. A collaboration between Dementia Australia and VistaPrint...
  5. How can you look after yourself during the expected heatwaves...
  6. How is an interactive app being used in aged care settings to...
  7. How could the upcoming strengthening of super standards save...
  8. Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett, a Western Australian volunteer,...
  9. Why is an illegal website targeting older Australians?
  10. Eighty years after getting married, this couple lives together...
  11. How does heart health impact your risk of dementia?
  12. Instead of going to the hospital, could older Australians...
  1. {{ result.posted_at | timeago }}

Sorry, no results were found
Perhaps you misspelled your search query, or need to try using broader search terms.
Please type a topic to search
Some frequently searched topics are "dementia", "elderly" etc
Close