Donepezil and Confusion: What Users Say

• cjr...
• September 13, 2010

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "Two years ago my mom used 5mg of Aricept for one month. She became almost a total zombie taking this medicine. She would not get out of bed, and her mind was a lot worse than before she started taking it. A month ago, she was put on 10mg of Aricept, and after two doses, she was taken to the hospital. She was totally out of control and knew nothing of what was going on. It is not for everyone."

• San...
• January 2, 2019

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "My mother was only on 0.5 mg but was confused and strange on it. She was on it for two weeks until finally I took her off. She has never been the same since. She used to follow a routine. Now her brain is terrible. It makes me sick to my stomach how much this drug deteriorated my mother. She got a throat infection and a finger infection during that time. If you read the fine print, 13% of people get an infection on it. But they say, I don't believe them, that 12% get an infection on placebo, making it 1% extra people that get an infection. Well then my mom was the 1% and had to go on antibiotics that screwed her system up too. I really feel sick we gave her this drug."

• Peh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2017

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "My mother was on this medication for 2 weeks for early stages of Alzheimer's. The first week, the family thought we could see noticeable improvement. By the end of the 2nd week, she was confused and defecating in her hand, which she had never done before. The doctor discontinued it and after a few days, she was back to where she was before starting the med. My advice is to watch your loved one closely for side effects."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 20, 2019

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "Update, now on 10 mg of Aricept for Alzheimer's. Memory has improved a bit but still some confusion when driving. Overall, I feel like it is helping. Can now finish most sentences, but my mind still wanders. Time will tell. I'm turning 61 next week and very thankful for my neurologist. God bless."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

For Alzheimer's Disease "My poor mom was up all night with bad nightmares and talking all night in a state of confusion. Today she is like a zombie with no appetite and refuses to get out of bed because she is so tired. I should have looked up the side effects first. I am livid with the doctor that prescribed this."

• lil...
• September 20, 2019

For Lewy Body Dementia "My mum was started on 5 mg donepezil 2 months ago. Prior to taking it, her speech was poor, she had a very low mood and very bad memory loss. She also had some paranoia and delusions. She was declining rapidly. For the first few days on the new tablet, I felt she was getting worse with increased confusion, poor appetite, muscle cramps, and tinnitus at night. I encouraged her to continue for a few weeks. After week 1, she began to improve. Her speech improved as did her mood and her psychiatric symptoms have stopped. She is smiling again, and although her memory is still poor, she is more independent with self-care. I feel this drug has certainly halted her decline. It was increased to 10 mg but was reduced again as side effects were too severe. The 5 mg dose is working wonders, thank goodness. I suggest not giving up on this too soon and expect some teething problems. Find the best dose for your loved one. It may help you get back some precious quality interaction with them."

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2023

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "The neurologist prescribed Namenda. Too many side effects. Went on Aricept and was more confused, diarrhea, stomach cramps, resting heartbeat 90, couldn't sleep. Excessive crying was frightening. No reason to cry. I came home one night and was planning a suicide attempt, crying and exhausted. I stopped taking it immediately. I have never had a thought about suicide. Very frightening. I'm a 66-year-old woman with dementia. I did not experience anything positive with this medication."

• Joh...
• February 28, 2021

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "Awful pills. My dad took them for 4 days, after which we knew he couldn't continue with them. He was so out of it, stumbling around without his glasses on, and he is nowhere near as bad normally. He forgets things now and again, but this made him much worse."

• Gam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 26, 2024

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "Since I started taking donepezil, I have noticed the following: - Itchy skin all over - Heart 'racing' - Increased anxiety - Confusion - Insomnia - Increased fidgeting - Lack of energy - Difficulty concentrating"

• Don...
• July 30, 2024

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "Dizziness, thirst, confusion, weight loss, constipation, trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of appetite."