Uses

DONEPEZIL (Aricept) helps treat the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but offers improvement in memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. Benefits are usually greater for mild to moderate symptoms seen in the early stages of the disease. Generic donepezil tablets are not yet available.

How to take

Take donepezil tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You may take donepezil with food. Take your doses at regular intervals; donepezil is usually taken before bedtime. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Continue to take your medicine even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Side Effects

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
changes in vision or balance
diarrhea, if it is severe or does not stop
dizziness, fainting spells, or falls
increase in frequency of passing urine, or incontinence
nervousness, agitation, or increased confusion
skin rash or hives
slow heartbeat, or palpitations
stomach pain
sweating
uncontrollable movements
unusual bleeding or bruising, red or purple spots on the skin
vomiting
weight loss
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
mild diarrhea, especially when starting treatment
drowsiness
headache
indigestion or heartburn
loss of appetite
nausea
joint pain
muscle cramping

Precaution

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if there is no improvement in your symptoms or if they get worse. You may get dizzy or feel faint. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how donepezil affects you. If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking donepezil.

Drug interactions

some antibiotics (such as erythromycin and clarithromycin)
some antidepressants (examples: fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
some drugs for treating diabetes (pioglitazone, troglitazone)
atropine
benztropine
bosentan
carbamazepine
dexamethasone
dicyclomine
digoxin
galantamine
glycopyrrolate
hyoscyamine
ipratropium
itraconazole or ketoconazole
medications for motion sickness (examples: dimenhydrinate, meclizine, scopolamine)
medicines for treating HIV infection or AIDS
medicines that relax your muscles for surgery
modafinil
non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
oxybutynin
phenytoin
phenobarbital
propantheline
quinidine
rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine
rivastigmine
St. John's wort
tacrine
trihexyphenidyl
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose, do not take double or extra doses.

Storage

Keep out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 degrees and 30 degrees C (59 degrees and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.