Summary
Commonly reported side effects of donepezil/memantine include: diarrhea. Other side effects include: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and ecchymoses. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to donepezil / memantine: oral capsule extended release.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, donepezil/memantine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking donepezil / memantine:
Incidence not known
- Bloody or black, tarry stools
- chest pain or discomfort
- decreased urination
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- pain in the lower abdomen, groin, upper back or sides
- seizures
- severe stomach pain
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- sweating
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Other side effects
Some side effects of donepezil / memantine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Constipation
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to donepezil / memantine: oral capsule extended release, oral kit.
Cardiovascular
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension
Postmarketing reports: Congestive cardiac failure
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hemorrhage, syncope
Postmarketing reports: Heart block (all types)[Ref]
Nervous system
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, somnolence
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, somnolence
Postmarketing reports: Convulsions, neuroleptic malignant syndrome[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting
Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis
Donepezil:
Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, anorexia, nausea
Postmarketing reports: Abdominal pain, pancreatitis[Ref]
Respiratory
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Influenza[Ref]
General
The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving memantine ER were headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving donepezil were diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, nausea, and ecchymosis.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Memantine:
Postmarketing reports: Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Eczema
Postmarketing reports: Rash[Ref]
Hematologic
Memantine:
Postmarketing reports: Agranulocytosis, leukopenia (including neutropenia), pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis
Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic anemia[Ref]
Hepatic
Memantine:
Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis
Donepezil:
Postmarketing reports: Cholecystitis, hepatitis[Ref]
Metabolic
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Increased creatinine phosphokinase, dehydration, hyperlipidemia
Postmarketing reports: Hyponatremia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain[Ref]
Other
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Increased weight
Donepezil:
Very common (10% or more): Accident (13%), infection (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Fever, pain, chest pain[Ref]
Psychiatric
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depression, aggression
Postmarketing reports: Suicidal ideation
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, nervousness, hallucinations, hostility, depression, confusion, emotional lability, personality disorder
Postmarketing reports: Agitation, confusion, hallucinations[Ref]
Renal
Memantine:
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary incontinence
Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure
Donepezil:
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary incontinence[Ref]
