Pronunciation: air-eh-sept
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 Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 26, 2024.

What is Aricept?

Aricept is used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Aricept can help improve attention, memory, behavior, and ability to do daily activities in dementia patients.

Aricept 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. Aricept generic name is donepezil.  

Aricept improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. Aricept 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. Aricept is from the drug class cholinesterase inhibitors.

Aricept side effects

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

Serious side effects of Aricept
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.

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 Aricept, 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 Aricept.

Aricept 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 donepezil, 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 Aricept 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 donepezil 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 Aricept?

Take Aricept 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 Aricept one time each day.

You may take Aricept with or without food.

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

How to take Aricept 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 Aricept. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

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

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Aricept Dosing information

Usual Adult Aricept 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.

Related/similar drugs

Namenda, donepezil, memantine, rivastigmine, vitamin e, Exelon

Aricept dosage forms

Aricept 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 Aricept?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Aricept, 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 donepezil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Aricept Package Insert

This is not all the information you need to know about Aricept (donepezil) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the Aricept 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:donepezil 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.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Aricept only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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