Abstract

▼Rivastigmine (Exelon - Novartis) is the second cholinesterase inhibitor marketed for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia, and follows ▼donepezil (Aricept - Eisai; Pfizer). Previously, we have been "unconvinced of the value of donepezil in routine clinical practice".1^,2 Rivastigmine has been promoted with the slogan "Beyond cognition: improving functional ability". Does rivastigmine offer useful benefits in Alzheimer's disease?