Exelon™ Also Known as ENA 713 or Rivastigmine Treatment: Intro | Aricept | Drug Trials Aricept Clinical Trial | Cognex | Exelon The following is provided for your information only and does not represent an endorsement of Exelon by the Alzheimer Society. What is Exelon? Exelon is a drug developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. It is currently being tested for the treatment of Alzheimer Disease. How will this drug help in the treatment of Alzheimer Disease? Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter -- a chemical in the brain that plays an important role in the transmission of information between nerve cells. The level of acetylcholine is lower in the brains of people with Alzheimer Disease compared to those without the disease. Exelon acts to increase the level of acetylcholine. It is hoped that by increasing the level of acetylcholine in the brain of people with Alzheimer Disease, some symptoms, such as memory impairment, will improve. Are there any known side effects? The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. A few people also experience lowered blood pressure. There is weight loss in the higher dose range. How large is this clinical trial? This study will involved the recruitment of 250 Canadian participants. The study is ongoing, but further recruitment for the trial is closed. What do the trials involve? This study involves a six-month treatment period where all participants will receive Exelon. Last reviewed/revised December 1999. ©Alzheimer Society of Canada 1999. All rights reserved. For comments, suggestions or additional information, contact the Support Services and Education Department. ============================ Just type in EXELON in your search engine -- many languages!! Announcement mentioned it was helpful in the very early stages of memory loss....patients might not suffer more loss for a longer period. I have added this due to the Genetically Inherited Diseases submission posted on this list. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Home Page | Main Menu