Patient/caregiver was educated on how to use exelon patch as follows:
- Do not open the sealed pouch containing the medication patch, until ready to use.
- Use the patch as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose and frequency of using this patch without consulting your doctor. Use the exelon patch for the duration prescribed without fail.
- Change the patch as ordered. Usually, exelon patch is changed every 24 hours. Confirm with your physician and other health care personnel on the frequency of patch change.
- Choose a clean, dry, and hairless portion of skin on the upper back, upper arm, or chest for application of the new exelon patch. Presence of hair and moisture can interfere with absorption of the medication through the skin and consequently compromise the therapeutic benefits of the medication. You can shower with the patch still on.
- Rotate the sites of exelon patch application, as applying the patch at the same site can result in skin irritation and erythema. Apply the new patch to a different skin area to prevent skin irritation. While applying the patch, make sure the skin surface at the site of intended application is not inflamed or irritated. Try avoiding the same site for exelon patch application, for atleast one week, before reusing the site.
- Change the patch at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the use of patch. Do not forget to remove the old patch, before applying the new one. Compliance with the time of applying the patch will also help to maintain ideal levels of the medication in the blood, which can contribute towards desired therapeutic results.
- If the patch falls off before it is due for change, discard the patch appropriately, as instructed, and apply a new patch. Keep to your regular time of changing the patch for the next day, to avoid any disturbance in the schedule.
- Do not rub eyes or handle any food without washing your hands, after handling the exelon patch. Wash your hands with soap and water after each handling of the patch, to prevent any undue exposure with the drug.
- Exelon patch can take some time to fairly adjust to your body, before any improvement with memory, cognition, and mood is experienced. So, do not discontinue on applying the patch without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after having the patch on.
- Your physician could change the dose of exelon patch, based on the relief obtained or side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, to update on the relief from symptoms. Be accommodative to the plan of frequent dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
- Continue having the exelon patch on as ordered, even if you experience improvement with the symptoms of compromised cognition and memory. Abrupt discontinuation on exelon patch can result in reverting of symptoms of poor cognition, diminishing memory, confusion, and exacerbation of depressive symptoms. Discontinuing the medication should only be on your physician’s recommendation.
- If you miss your time for changing the patch, try doing it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. Keep to your regular scheduled time of changing the patch for the next day. If it is already time for the next application, skip the missed patch and apply the patch scheduled. Do not apply an extra patch to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
