Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there any side effects?
- Can I open the Exelon® Patch pouches at the beginning of the week for easier access?
- How close can the Exelon® Patch be to medicated patches treating other conditions?
- Is it OK to shave the application site before I apply the Exelon® Patch?
- Can lotions (moisturizing lotions, tanning lotions, etc.) affect the Exelon® Patch?
- What do I do if the Exelon® Patch keeps falling off when I’m trying to apply it?
- How should the Exelon® Patch be applied to a person with a preexisting skin problem?
- How should the Exelon® Patch be applied to a person with oily skin?
- How should the Exelon® Patch be applied to a person with loose skin from significant weight loss?
- What should I do if the person being treated is sunburned?
- Can the Exelon® Patch be applied over a tattoo?
- What should I do if my loved one experiences a mild skin reaction?
- Can the Exelon® Patch be worn when bathing, swimming, or in the sun?
- How does sweating affect the Exelon® Patch after it is applied (e.g., nighttime sweating, outdoor gardening)?
1. Are there any side effects?
The side effects of Exelon are generally mild to moderate and
subside with time. The most common side effects are nausea,
vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn, stomach pains and loss of appetite.
There may also be dizziness, headache, a feeling of weakness,
fatigue, increased sweating, weight loss and skin irritation at site
of application. If you are concerned about side effects, or if you
experience any other undesirable effects not mentioned here, please
consult your doctor.
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2. Can I open the Exelon® Patch pouches at the beginning of the week
for easier access?
No. You should only open the pouch when you are
ready to apply the patch. The Exelon® Patch starts to lose medicine
and become less effective if exposed to air and left open.
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3. How close can the Exelon® Patch be to medicated
patches treating other conditions?
This has not been studied; however, we do not recommend
overlapping a patch treating something different.
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4. Is it OK to shave the application site before I apply
the Exelon® Patch?
You can shave the application site. However, it’s best not
to shave the site just prior to application because the
skin is often slightly irritated from shaving. If you need to
shave a site, do so 24 hours before applying the patch.
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5. Can lotions (moisturizing lotions, tanning lotions,
etc.) affect the Exelon® Patch?
Always apply the patch to clean, dry skin. Do not use
creams, oils, powder, or makeup on skin where you are
going to put the patch or near a patch he or she is wearing.
These products may cause the patch to become loose.
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6. What do I do if the Exelon® Patch keeps falling off
when I’m trying to apply it?
If the patch is not staying on, it is possible that the skin
is wet or that it is not pressed firmly into place. Also,
some soaps, creams, or lotions may keep the patch from
sticking. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make
sure you followed the instructions correctly. If the Exelon®
Patch still doesn’t stick, you may place medical tape over
the patch to hold it in place.
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7. How should the Exelon® Patch be applied to a person
with a preexisting skin problem?
Doctors should know if their patients have any of the following
skin conditions: eczema (a condition that causes
the skin to be dry, itchy, or scaly), psoriasis (a skin disease
in which scaly patches form on some areas of the
body), or seborrheic dermatitis (a condition in which flaky
white or yellow scales form on the skin).
If your loved one has a preexisting skin problem, additional
irritation may occur from using patches. The irritation
might show up as redness, bumps, swelling, or itching at
the site of application. Please speak with the doctor if you
have additional questions.
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8. How should the Exelon® Patch be applied to a person with oily skin?
If your loved one has oily skin, it may be more difficult to
keep the patch on. Gently clean the application area with
soap and warm water and pat the area dry with a towel.
Then immediately apply the patch, pressing firmly.
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9. How should the Exelon® Patch be applied to a person with loose skin from significant weight loss?
For a person with overall loose skin from significant
weight loss, apply the Exelon® Patch as usual.
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10. What should I do if the person being treated is sunburned?
Do not apply an Exelon® Patch to oily, broken, burned,
sunburned, cut, or irritated skin. Choose another area to
apply the patch, as shown in the instructions.
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11. Can the Exelon® Patch be applied over a tattoo?
It is not suggested that the patch be applied over a tattoo.
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12. What should I do if my loved one experiences a mild skin reaction?
Some people who use the Exelon® Patch develop a mild
skin reaction of redness and itching. If this happens to
your loved one, remove the patch, rinse the area with cool
water. If the reaction is severe stop using the Exelon®
Patch and talk with your doctor. People with an allergy to
adhesives should not use Exelon® Patch.
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13. Can the Exelon® Patch be worn when bathing,swimming, or in the sun?
Bathing, swimming, or showering should not affect the
patch. Make sure the patch does not loosen during these
activities. The patch should not be exposed to any external
heat sources (excessive sunlight, saunas, solarium) for long
periods of time.
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14. How does sweating affect the Exelon® Patch after it is applied (e.g., nighttime sweating, outdoor gardening)?
A clinical trial for the Exelon® Patch involved some countries,
that have hot and humid climates. There were no reports of
specific problems related to sweating.
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