Pronunciation: doe-NEP-e-zil
Generic Name: Donepezil
Brand Name: Aricept
Aricept is used for:
Treating dementia (eg, impairment of memory, judgment, and abstract thinking; changes in personality) in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer disease.
Aricept is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the brain, which may help reduce the symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Do NOT use Aricept if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Aricept or to another piperidine derivative
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Aricept:
Some medical conditions may interact with Aricept. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of certain heart problems (eg, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; sick sinus syndrome), stomach or bowel problems (eg, ulcer, blockage), liver or kidney problems, lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), or urinary blockage
- if you have brain lesions or tumors, increased pressure in the brain, a recent head injury, or a history of seizures (eg, epilepsy)
- if you have Parkinson disease, trouble swallowing tablets, or metabolism problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aricept. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because the risk of stomach or bowel bleeding may be increased
- Cholinergic agents (eg, bethanechol), cholinesterase inhibitors (eg, galantamine), ketoconazole, or quinidine because they may increase the risk of Aricept's side effects
- Carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or rifampin because they may decrease Aricept's effectiveness
- Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Aricept
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aricept may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Aricept:
Use Aricept as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Aricept. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Aricept by mouth in the evening right before bed, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take Aricept with or without food.
- Swallow Aricept whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Take Aricept on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Aricept at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Continue to take Aricept even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Aricept, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Contact your doctor if you miss several doses (7 or more days) of Aricept. You may need to restart your medicine at a lower dose to avoid side effects.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aricept.
Important safety information:
- Aricept may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Aricept with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or stop taking Aricept without checking with your doctor.
- Aricept is not a cure for Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer disease will get worse over time in all patients who have it.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aricept before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Use Aricept with caution in patients who weigh less than 55 kg (121 lbs); they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
- Aricept should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Aricept while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aricept is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aricept. Aricept is not approved for use in women who may be breast-feeding.
Possible side effects of Aricept:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; loss of appetite; muscle cramps; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; decreased, difficult, or painful urination; fainting; fever; flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, muscle aches, tiredness); mood or mental problems (eg, depression); new or worsening breathing problems (eg, shortness of breath); seizures; severe dizziness or headache; severe or persistent heartburn or stomach pain; slow or irregular heartbeat; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; tremor; unusual bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Aricept side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; increased sweating or saliva production; loss of consciousness; muscle weakness; seizures; severe dizziness; severe nausea or vomiting; slow heartbeat; slow or shallow breathing.
Proper storage of Aricept:
Store Aricept at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aricept out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Aricept, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Aricept is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aricept. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Aricept resources
- Aricept Side Effects (in more detail)
- Aricept Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Aricept Drug Interactions
- Aricept Support Group
- 11 Reviews for Aricept - Add your own review/rating
Compare Aricept with other medications
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
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