Key takeaways
Donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon) are both medications used to treat dementia related to Alzheimer's disease, but they have some differences. Donepezil is taken once daily, usually at night, and is available as a generic medication in both tablet and dissolvable forms. It's also available as a patch (Adlarity). Rivastigmine, on the other hand, can be taken as an oral capsule twice a day with meals or as a skin patch that is changed every 24 hours. Rivastigmine is also used for dementia related to Parkinson's disease, which donepezil is not. Common side effects of donepezil include nausea, diarrhea, and headache, while rivastigmine often causes nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, especially in its capsule form. Additionally, rivastigmine patches can cause skin irritation. Both medications can slow down your heartbeat and increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding, especially when taken with NSAIDs.
