How long does it take for Aricept to work?

Q: How long does it take for Aricept to work?

Aricept (donepezil) may start working within 3 weeks of starting treatment to improve Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog) scores, but can take up to 4-6 weeks to be effective for some people.

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

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Aricept (donepezil) may start improving cognitive function within 3 weeks, with full effects typically seen after 4–6 weeks. It works by enhancing memory and language skills, as measured by the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog).

How Can I Tell if Aricept Is Working?

As Aricept begins to work, you may remember things easier and be able to concentrate better. It might also become easier to manage daily activities such as:

Bathing
Dressing
Eating
Using the bathroom

Aricept does not cure Alzheimer’s disease, and its benefits vary. Some people experience significant improvements, while others notice only mild or no effects.

What If Aricept Doesn’t Seem to Work?

If you haven’t noticed an improvement in your symptoms after taking Aricept for 4-6 weeks, let your doctor know. They might be able to raise your dose to see if that helps, or recommend a different treatment option.

References

Aricept [package insert]. (Updated Dec 2021). Eisai Inc. Accessed 07/12/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=98e451e1-e4d7-4439-a675-c5457ba20975

Birks, J. S., et. al. (2018). Donepezil for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002%2F14651858.CD001190.pub3

National Health Services. (Updated March 2023). Common questions about donepezil. Accessed 07/12/2024 at https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/donepezil/common-questions-about-donepezil/

Rockwood, K., et. al. (2007). The clinical meaningfulness of ADAS-Cog changes in Alzheimer's disease patients treated with donepezil in an open-label trial. In: BMC Neurology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186%2F1471-2377-7-26

Can Aricept be stopped abruptly?

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. Continue reading

What are 7 key Aricept side effects to watch out for?

Common side effects of Aricept include nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, muscle cramps, and low appetite. For most people, these side effects last a few weeks and get better with continued use of Aricept. Continue reading

When is the best time to take Aricept (donepezil)?

The manufacturer recommends taking Aricept (donepezil) in the evening just before bedtime. Aricept can cause nausea and vomiting in some patients, as well as dizziness. Taking it before bedtime may help these side effects be less noticeable. However, your prescriber might recommend taking Aricept at a different time if it’s interfering with your sleep. Continue reading

How long does it take for Aricept to work?

How Can I Tell if Aricept Is Working?

What If Aricept Doesn’t Seem to Work?

Read next

Can Aricept be stopped abruptly?

What are 7 key Aricept side effects to watch out for?

When is the best time to take Aricept (donepezil)?

See also:

Aimovig

Botox

Ozempic

Nurtec ODT

Emgality

Inderal

Ajovy

Vyepti

Botox Cosmetic

Fremanezumab

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups