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Overview: Adlarity is a used to treat mild, moderate, and severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. It may help relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a natural chemical in the brain. It is applied to the skin as a transdermal patch.

Uses

What is Adlarity used for?

Adlarity is commonly used to treat mild, moderate, and severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Adlarity may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Adlarity work (mechanism of action)?

People with Alzheimer’s disease typically have a decrease in the amount of acetylcholine in their brain. Acetylcholine is a natural chemical in the brain that helps carry messages between brain cells. When there is less acetylcholine, it leads to problems in memory and thinking. Adlarity may help manage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing more acetylcholine to build up in the brain. 

How is Adlarity supplied (dosage forms)?

Adlarity is available as 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day transdermal patches.

How should I store Adlarity?

Adlarity transdermal patches should be stored in a refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Do not freeze. Remove the pouch from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before opening it. Keep the patch in the individually sealed pouch until you are ready to apply it. Used patches should be folded with the adhesive surfaces pressed together and discarded in the trash. Do not flush used patches down the toilet.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Adlarity?

The most common side effects of Adlarity are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle cramps
  • Tiredness
  • Decreased appetite

There may be other side effects of Adlarity that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Adlarity?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Adlarity are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Adlarity may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Adlarity and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Rhythm Changes. Adlarity may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating (cardiac arrest). Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you experience any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat

Stomach Bleeding. Adlarity may increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, or take certain other medicines. Stop taking Adlarity and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Vomit blood
  • Black or tarry poop
  • Stomach pain that does not go away
  • Upset stomach
  • Feel faint

Seizures. Some people who have taken Adlarity have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking Adlarity and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Inability to Empty Bladder (Urinary Retention). Adlarity might make it harder to empty your bladder. Call your healthcare provider right away if you cannot empty your bladder.

Skin Reaction. Adlarity transdermal patches may cause a skin reaction called allergic contact dermatitis where the patch was applied. Stop using Adlarity transdermal patches and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms and they do not get better within 2 days (48 hours) after removing the patch.

  • Skin redness or swelling
  • Peeling or blisters on your skin
  • Symptoms spreading to the area of skin beyond your patch application site

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Adlarity?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Adlarity.

  • Adlarity
  • Donepezil
  • Any other medicine known as piperidines
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Adlarity.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis. People who had a skin reaction called allergic contact dermatitis to Adlarity transdermal patches in the past should not use Adlarity transdermal patches again.

What should I know about Adlarity before using it?

Do not use Adlarity unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Adlarity with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Adlarity out of the reach of children.

Since Adlarity must be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator. 

Do not touch your eyes after you touch an Adlarity patch. If you accidentally touch your eyes or your eyes get red after handling a patch, rinse your eyes with water right away. Get help from your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not go away on their own. In case of accidental contact with your eyes, or if your eyes become red after handling the patch, rinse your eyes right away with water and get emergency medical help if your symptoms do not go away. 

Avoid exposure to heat sources for long periods of time. Examples of heat sources include excessive sunlight, saunas, sunrooms, or heating pads. Heat exposure could make too much medicine be absorbed into your body.

Apply one Adlarity patch at a time to your skin one time weekly, or every 7 days. Apply the patch to a place on your skin that is clean, dry, intact, and has little to no hair. If your Adlarity patch falls off, apply a new patch right away, and remove it 7 days later.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Adlarity?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Adlarity is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Adlarity could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Adlarity passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Adlarity while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does Adlarity interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Adlarity and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Adlarity. The risk of tiredness may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Adlarity.

Does Adlarity interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Adlarity interacts with many other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Adlarity.

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
  • Anesthesia given to you by your healthcare provider during surgery, medical procedures, or dental procedures
  • A type of medicine called a cholinergic, which includes bethanechol (which may be used for urinary retention), and certain other medicines commonly used for dry mouth, dry eyes, and glaucoma

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Adlarity. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Adlarity?

If you or someone else has used too much Adlarity, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Adlarity?

If the patch falls off, or if you miss a dose, apply a new patch right away, and remove it 7 days later. Do not apply double or extra patches. If you stop using Adlarity patches, talk to your healthcare provider for instructions before starting again.