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oaoos1492 Asked March 2018

Is there any benefit to using a 24-hour Exelon patch for 12-15 hours?

My AD husband picks off the patch and I find it on the floor in the morning. I am afraid the cat will eat it and get sick. The neurologist has waffled on this. Is there any benefit half time ( I could remove it before bedtime) or should I just stop applying it at all?

oaoos1492 Mar 2018
I had the best luck on his right shoulder because he has rotator cuff injuries to his left shoulder. But I will try between his shoulder blades.

dragonflower Mar 2018
Yes, put it in the middle of his back, between the shoulder blades. It's nearly impossible for most elderly folks to peel off something there, because their shoulders are not flexible for them to reach that spot.

24-hour patches are designed to deliver a specified dose gradually over 24 hours. If they are ripped off prematurely, the patient is not receiving the correct dose - and therefore, not achieving the benefits of the medication.

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jjariz Mar 2018
Put it on his back, where he can't reach it.

cwillie Mar 2018
Some people don't see any benefit from alzheimer's drugs and their effectiveness decreases as the disease progresses so the neurologist is leaving it up to you to decide whether you feel it is worth the effort. The only patch type of medication my mother used was nitroglycerine and the placement may be different, but I wonder if you could put them on his back out of reach?

oaoos1492 Mar 2018
I believe so. And I am afraid his cognition will backslide if I stop it completely. The neurologist said use it, don't use it, use it if he tolerates it ok. Big help!

cwillie Mar 2018
Medicine in patches is designed to be absorbed gradually through the skin so he would still be getting 2/3 of the amount he would have gotten if it was left on. Does he seem to be benefiting from it?

JoAnn29 Mar 2018
bumping u up

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