FDA Approves Use Of Patch For Alzheimer’s

The Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the first weekly transdermal skin patch for Alzheimer’s-related dementia.

Adlarity (donepezil) is a patch for patients with mild, moderate or severe dementia and is available in 5- or 10-mg per day forms.

The patch can be placed on the patient’s back, thigh or buttocks and will consistently deliver a well-tolerated dose of donepezil through the skin for up to seven days.

Donepezil is the most widely used medicine for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The donepezil patch offers several advantages over the oral form of the drug. Most notably, studies show, the patch results in a lower likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

The patch, manufactured by Corium, is expected to become available this fall.