Lack of adverse pharmacodynamic drug interactions with rivastigmine and twenty-two classes of medications

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2000 Mar;15(3):242-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(200003)15:3<242::aid-gps110>3.0.co;2-7.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often associated with multiple comorbidities and subsequent polypharmacy. Treatment of AD with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors can carry a risk of drug interaction with multiple medications often prescribed for other co-existing illnesses. Rivastigmine is an AChE inhibitor that is enzymatically cleaved by AChE, minimally metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, has low protein binding, has a short plasma half-life, and a relatively short duration of action. Such properties make it ideal for use in this patient population. A pharmacodynamic analysis of rivastigmine administered concomitantly with other medications (22 different therapeutic classes) did not reveal any significant pattern of increase in adverse events that would indicate a drug interaction. In summary, rivastigmine was well tolerated and safely administered to a population receiving multiple medications for 'real-world' comorbidities.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology
  • Carbamates / pharmacology*
  • Carbamates / therapeutic use
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Comorbidity
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenylcarbamates*
  • Polypharmacy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rivastigmine

Substances

  • Carbamates
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Phenylcarbamates
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Rivastigmine