Donepezil is an oral medication used to treat Alzheimers disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes Tacrine Cognex. Scientists believe that Alzheimers disease may result from a deficiency in chemicals neurotransmitters used by nerves in the brain to communicate with one another.

Donepezil inhibits Acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for the destruction of one neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This leads to increased concentrations of acetylcholine in the brain and the increased concentrations are believed to be responsible for the improvement seen during treatment with Donepezil. Donepezil improves the symptoms but does not slow down the progression of Alzheimer disease.

Before taking Aricept ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Aricept. Do not let anyone else take your medication especially a woman who is or may become pregnant.

Donepezil was approved by the FDA in 1996.

You need to take the Aricept tablets orally with a glass full of water. Aricept i.e. Donepezil is generally taken once daily at night prior to retiring. Its absorption is not affected by food so that it may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly and also read the prescription label carefully.

However, if you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. The symptoms may be – sweating, uncontrollable movements, skin rashes, weight loss, vomiting, agitation, changes in vision and balance, severe diarrhea, dizziness, fainting spells, nervousness, hives, slow heartbeat/palpitations, stomach pain, unusual bleeding, bruising, increased confusion, red or purple spots on the skin, frequency of passing urine or incontinence etc.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects and if they appear too bothersome to you.

The most frequently reported side effects associated with Donepezil includes: increased frequency of urination, muscle cramping, joint pain, headache, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, insomnia.

Tacrine Cognex another anticholinesterase medication used in the treatment of Alzheimers disease is associated with liver toxicity. However, Donepezil does not appear to be associated with liver toxicity.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form.
Aricept may interact with the cholinesterase inhibitors, rifampin, foods, varied medications, phenytoin, NSAIDs, anticholinergics, dexamethasone, carbamazepine, ketoconazole, cholinergic agents, phenobarbital etc.

It is also important to inform your health care professional, if you are a frequent user of drinks with alcohol or caffeine or if you smoke or if you use any kind of illegal drugs as these things may affect the way your medicine works.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your Donepezil medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. And, if it is almost the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue to your regular dosing. Do not double your doses in any case and consult your doctor for the missed dosage.

Donepezil i.e. Aricept is used in the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Aricept medication.

Aricept medication should be stored at 15-30°C and 59-86°F and at cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. In any case, do not store the Aricept tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Aricept:

1. It is very important for the patient to know that before using Aricept they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of or are currently suffering from any kind of severe or mild skin diseases like heart disease, slow heartbeats, liver disease, asthma, lung disease, head injury, severe headaches, difficulty passing urine, Parkinson’s disease, stomach or intestinal disease, seizures, ulcers, stomach bleeding, low blood pressure etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctor immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Aricept i.e. Donepezil or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Aricept medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Aricept medication or it may result in abortion. Hence, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.