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Home > Drugs > Cholinesterase inhibitors > Donepezil
Cholinesterase inhibitors

Donepezil

https://themeditary.com/drug/donepezil-211.html
Medically Reviewed by Oluni Odunlami, MD TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 10, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ]

Drug class: Cholinesterase inhibitors

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Aricept, Aricept odt, Adlarity

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions
  • Donepezil (Donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ])-b 151-5 mg-White-Round Donepezil 5 mg (b 151)
  • Donepezil (Donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ])-b 152-10 mg-White-Round Donepezil 10 mg (b 152)
  • Donepezil (Donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ])-G 5-5 mg-White-Round Donepezil 5 mg (G 5)
  • Donepezil (Donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ])-G 10-10 mg-Yellow-Round Donepezil 10 mg (G 10)
  • View all images

What is Donepezil?

Donepezil is used to help improve mental function in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Donepezil does not work the same in all people. Some people taking donepezil have improved mental function, while others may have unchanged or even worsening mental function.

Donepezil is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease. This condition will progress over time, even in people who take donepezil.

Donepezil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

How should I take Donepezil

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take donepezil with or without food.

Swallow the regular tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. 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 or dentist ahead of time that you are using donepezil. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

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

Detailed Donepezil dosage information
Donepezil Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not use donepezil if you are allergic to donepezil or certain other drugs. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicines.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • a heart rhythm disorder;

  • a stomach ulcer;

  • urination problems;

  • asthma or other breathing disorder;

  • liver or kidney disease;

  • a seizure; or

  • trouble swallowing tablets.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

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 should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I avoid while using Donepezil?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how donepezil will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Donepezil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Donepezil may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • slow heartbeats;

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

  • new or worsening stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting;

  • a seizure;

  • painful or difficult urination;

  • new or worsening breathing problems; or

  • signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common side effects of donepezil may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

  • loss of appetite;

  • muscle pain;

  • sleep problems (insomnia); or

  • feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See more: Donepezil Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Donepezil?

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with donepezil may increase your risk of stomach ulcer.

Other drugs may affect donepezil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

More about Donepezil (Donepezil (oral) [ doe-nep-e-zil ])

Dosage information
Donepezil Side Effects
Patient tips
During pregnancy
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: Cholinesterase inhibitors

Patient resources

Advanced Reading: Donepezil (Oral)
Advanced Reading: Donepezil (Transdermal)
Donepezil 23 mg Tablets
Donepezil Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Donepezil Tablets

Related treatment guides

Lewy Body Dementia
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Alzheimer's Disease
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