Donepezil

Pronunciation: don-eh-pee-zill
Generic name: donepezil
Brand names: Aricept, Aricept ODT
Dosage forms: Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 23 mg), ODT Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg)
Drug class: Cholinesterase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 4, 2024.

What is Donepezil?

Donepezil (brand name Aricept) may be used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil can help improve attention, memory, behavior, and ability to do daily activities in dementia patients.

Donepezil is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease; it may help improve symptoms, but the condition will progress over time, even in people who take this medicine. Donepezil generic name is .

Donepezil improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. Donepezil works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah SEET il KOE leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning. Donepezil is from the drug class cholinesterase inhibitors.

Donepezil side effects

The most common side effects of donepezil are:

nausea
diarrhea
not sleeping well
vomiting
muscle cramps
feeling tired
not wanting to eat.

These side effects may get better after you take donepezil for a while. This is not a complete list of side
effects. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA1088.

Common Donepezil side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, sleep problems (insomnia), or feeling tired.

Serious side effects of Donepezil
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction with side effects symptoms of hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

slow heartbeat and fainting. This happens more often in people with heart problems. Call your doctor right
away if you feel faint or lightheaded while taking ARICEPT.
• more stomach acid. This raises the chance of ulcers and bleeding, especially when taking ARICEPT 23 mg.
The risk is higher for people who have had ulcers, or take aspirin or other NSAIDs.
• worsening of lung problems in people with asthma or other lung disease.
• seizures.
• difficulty passing urine.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

severe or ongoing vomiting;
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
slow heartbeats;
seizure (convulsions);
painful or difficult urination;
new or worsening breathing problems; or
signs of stomach bleeding - severe heartburn or stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of side effects of Donepezil, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Donepezil.

Donepezil can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to the active ingredient , certain other drugs or the inactive ingredients in this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicines.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

a heart rhythm disorder;
a history of stomach ulcers;
an enlarged prostate or urination problems;
liver or kidney disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
trouble swallowing; or
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.

It is not known whether Donepezil will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Donepezil?

Take Donepezil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Donepezil one time each day.

You may take Donepezil with or without food.

Regular tablets: Do not crush, chew, or break the regular tablet. Swallow it whole.

How to take Donepezil ODT (orally disintegrating tablet):

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Open the package and peel or cut the backing from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the backing or you may damage the tablet.
Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.
Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve on your tongue.
Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. After the tablet dissolves completely, drink a glass of water.

If you need surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Donepezil. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

You should not stop using Donepezil without your doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Donepezil Dosing information

Usual Adult Donepezil Dosage for Alzheimer's Disease:

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day, in the evening prior to retiring

Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease:
-Maintenance dose: 10 mg orally once a day after the patient has been on an initial dose of 5 mg once a day for 4 to 6 weeks

Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease:
-Maintenance dose: 23 mg orally once a day, after the patient has been on a dose of 10 mg once a day for at least 3 months

Comments: A higher dose of 10 mg may or may not provide a statistically significantly greater clinical benefit than a 5 mg dose. Prescriber and patient's preference should be considered.

Uses: For mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's type dementia.

Donepezil dosage forms

Donepezil is available as tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 23 mg) and orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) (5 mg, 10 mg)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss your doses for more than 7 days in a row, call your doctor before taking the medicine again.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, drooling, sweating, blurred vision, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What to avoid

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect Donepezil?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Donepezil, especially:

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with , including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Donepezil Package Insert

This is not all the information you need to know about Donepezil () for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the Donepezil Package Insert here, and discuss this medicine and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).

Ingredients

Active ingredient: hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients:

Film-coated tablets (5 mg and 10 mg): lactose monohydrate, cornstarch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains talc, polyethylene glycol, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains yellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.

Film-coated tablets (23mg): ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and methacrylic acid copolymer, Type C. The reddish color film coating includes ferric oxide, hypromellose 2910, polyethylene glycol 8000, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Orally disintegrating tablets ODT (5 mg, 10 mg): carrageenan, mannitol, colloidal silicon dioxide, and polyvinyl alcohol. The 10 mg tablet contains yellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.

Company

Distributed by Eisai Inc., Nutley, NJ 07110.

Popular FAQ

How does Aricept work?

Aricept belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, which work by increasing acetylcholine levels to support better brain function. However, it does not change the progression of dementia itself. Continue reading