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Can Aricept be stopped abruptly?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on March 25, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

No, you should not stop taking Aricept (donepezil) suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider. Abruptly discontinuing Aricept may cause a worsening of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Instead, your healthcare provider may recommend gradually reducing the dosage to minimize potential risks.

What Happens If You Stop Aricept Suddenly?

Clinical studies show that discontinuing Aricept leads to a loss of its benefits:

  • 30-week study: Patients who took Aricept for 24 weeks and then switched to a placebo for 6 weeks experienced a decline in cognitive function.
  • 12-week study: Patients who stopped Aricept for 3 weeks after taking it for 12 weeks also experienced a loss in its benefits, as shown by increased Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores. This test evaluates memory and language skills.
  • Case reports: While one small study found no withdrawal symptoms after stopping Aricept, other reports suggest abrupt discontinuation can cause delirium, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and worsening dementia symptoms—some of which improved when Aricept was restarted.

When Should You Stop Taking Aricept?

Your healthcare provider may advise stopping Aricept in certain situations, such as:

  • Severe allergic reaction – Stop immediately and seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms like facial swelling, trouble breathing, or a rapid heartbeat.
  • No apparent benefit – If Aricept is not improving Alzheimer’s symptoms, your doctor may suggest discontinuation.
  • Unmanageable side effects – If side effects become intolerable, your doctor may recommend stopping the medication.
  • Drug interactions – If Aricept negatively interacts with other medications, an alternative treatment plan may be necessary.

Related questions

How to Stop Aricept Safely

If you need to stop taking Aricept, do not adjust the dosage on your own. Your doctor or other healthcare provider will help create a plan to taper the medication safely while monitoring for any worsening symptoms. If symptoms reappear, they may consider restarting Aricept before attempting another gradual reduction.

Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen.

References

Bidzan, L., et. al. (2012). Withdrawal syndrome after donepezil cessation in a patient with dementia. In: Neurological Sciences. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3506829/

Burns, A., et al. (1999). The effects of donepezil in Alzheimer's disease - results from a multinational trial. In: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10325453/

Donepezil tablet [package insert]. (Revised April 2023). Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Accessed 06/14/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=11ac01f4-d26e-47b2-9660-d514ab097fdb

Howard, R., et. al. (2012). Donepezil and Memantine for Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer's Disease. In: The New England Journal of Medicine. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22397651/

Kueper, J., et. al. (2018). The Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog): Modifications and Responsiveness in Pre-Dementia Populations. A Narrative Review. In: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5929311/

Reeve, E., et. al. (2019). Deprescribing cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in dementia: guideline summary. In: The Medical Journal of Australia. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.50015

Rogers, S. L., et. al. (1998). Donepezil Improves Cognition and Global Function in Alzheimer Disease: A 15-Week, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. In: JAMA. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/205223

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