Drug Detail:Aricept odt (Donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ])
Drug Class: Cholinesterase inhibitors
Usual Adult Dose 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
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Dose Adjustments
In clinical studies, the increase to a 10 mg dose with a one week titration was associated with a higher incidence of cholinergic adverse events compared to a 5 mg dose. The type and frequency of these adverse events were similar for both the 5 mg and 10 mg dose when using a 6 week titration.
Recommended titration rate:
- A dose of 10 mg once a day can be administered after patients have been on a daily dose of 5 mg for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
- A dose of 23 mg once a day can be administered after patients have been on a dose of 10 mg once daily for at least 3 months.
Precautions
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- This drug should be taken in the evening, just prior to retiring.
- This drug can be taken with or without food.
- The 23 mg tablet should not be split, crushed or chewed because this action may increase its rate of absorption.
- Allow the orally disintegrated tablet (ODT) to dissolve on the tongue and follow with water.
