Molecule

Drug Groups

approved; investigational

Description

Rivastigmine is a parasympathomimetic or cholinergic agent for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that inhibits both butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase.

Indication

For the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease or of the Alzheimer's type.

Pharmacology

Rivastigmine is a parasympathomimetic and a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. An early pathophysiological feature of Alzheimer's disease that is associated with memory loss and cognitive deficits is a deficiency of acetylcholine as a result of selective loss of cholinergic neurons in the cerebral cortex, nucleus basalis, and hippocampus. Tacrine is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. While the precise mechanism of rivastigmine's action is unknown, it is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by cholinesterase. If this proposed mechanism is correct, rivastigmine's effect may lessen as the disease progresses and fewer cholinergic neurons remain functionally intact.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Rivastigmine is rapidly metabolized by cholinesterase-mediated hydrolysis.

Half Life

1.5 hours

Protein Binding

40%

Elimination

Rivastigmine is extensively metabolized primarily via cholinesterase-mediated hydrolysis to the decarbamylated metabolite NAP226-90. Renal excretion of the metabolites is the major route of elimination. Less than 1% of the administered dose is excreted in the feces.

Distribution

* 1.8 to 2.7 L/kg

Clearance

* renal cl=2.1-2.8 L/hr

References

External Links