Affiliation:
1. Dr. Dorothea-Erxleben-Straße 2A, 01968 Senftenberg,Germany
2. 1st Department of Neurology, Aiginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens,Greece
3. Novartis Pharma AG, Rotkreuz ZG,Switzerland
4. Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad,India
Abstract
Background:
Transdermal patches are convenient to use, especially in Rotkreuz ZG
Rotkreuz ZG patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated dementia. However, various identified
risks of errors in administering the patches cannot be disregarded. Patient Reminder Cards
(PRCs, included a Medication record sheet [MRS]) have been recently introduced as a risk minimisation
tool to prevent incorrect patch use (IU).
Objectives:
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of PRCs to prevent IU and to investigate
the dose titration pattern of rivastigmine patches in a real-world setting.
Methods:
This multinational, observational, 11-month study included patients with AD currently
using rivastigmine patches (4.6 mg/day, 9.5 mg/day, 13.3 mg/day) accompanied by a caregiver.
Study outcomes were IU, including multiple patch use (MPU), incorrect patch placement, other
IUs, perceived usefulness of the PRCs, and titration patterns of the patches.
Results:
Of the total 614 patients included, most were aged ≥65 years and had mild-to-moderate
AD. Before and during the study, 27.7% and 18.0% of patients reported IU, respectively. Most pa-
tients used MRS, and 73.5% rated it ‘helpful’ and reported lower rates of IU than those who report-
ed it ‘not helpful’ (13.9%–16.5% vs. 20.2%). Overall, 141 patients had dose titrations, with 75.8%
being up-titrated from 4.6 mg/day to 9.5 mg/day after a mean duration of 58 days. Safety findings
were consistent with the established profile for the rivastigmine patch.
Conclusion:
PRC was effective as a risk minimisation tool in limiting the inappropriate use of ri-
vastigmine patches. The majority of patients requiring dose-change were up-titrated to 9.5 mg/day
patches.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Neurology (clinical),Neurology
Cited by
1 articles.
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