Aricept (Donepezil)

Aricept product description

Drug uses

Aricept is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and indicated for the symptomatic treatment of dementia Alzheimer's type of mild, moderate to severe degree. The drug slows Alzheimer's disease progression, recovers daily activity of the patients and corrects behavioral abnormalities.

Moreover, Aricept reduces hallucinations, apathy, and the patient’s repetitive movements. Treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease is recommended to begin with a dose of 5 mg once a day, just at bedtime. The maximum recommended dose for mild to moderate disease is Aricept 10mg.

The recommended initial dose to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease is Aricept 5 mg. The maximum daily dose of Aricept in serious cases should not exceed 23 mg. Supportive therapy can be continued till the therapeutic effect is observed. Aricept is not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children.

Missed dose

To comply with the dosing regimen, the patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease may need someone’s help. If the patient has missed a dose of Aricept or failed to remember whether Aricept pill was taken or not, in this case, it is better wait for the time for the next dose and take the recommended dose at the regular time.

Patients are not recommended to take 2 doses of Aricept at the same time. In case if the patient missed more than 7 doses of Aricept, the further treatment with Aricept should be discussed with the doctor.

More information

Patients should take Aricept in the evening, with or without food, adhering to the same time of intake. Aricept pills are taken whole, not chewed, with plenty of water. Patients with mild to moderate impaired renal and hepatic function may take Aricept without dose adjustment.

Storage
Aricept pills should be stored in a dry warm place out of the children’s reach, at temperature under 30°C. Do not use Aricept after the expiration date indicated on the package.

Aricept safety information

Warnings

Because of its pharmacological action, Aricept may decrease heart rate and blood pressure in the patients with sick sinus syndrome (e.g. bradycardia). In addition, caution should be used while Aricept is taken by the patients at increased risk of developing ulcers, or those on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the same time with Aricept. The risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal bleeding is higher for these patients.

Because of a cholinomimetic action of Aricept, the drug should be indicated with care to the patients with obstructive pulmonary disease or a history of asthma. Aricept may increase an effect of muscle relaxants, and beta-blockers. Besides, Aricept may have influence on the action of drugs, characterized by anticholinergic activity.

Disclaimer

The materials of Aricept, dementia and Alzheimer's disease are provided for general information purposes only, and must not be regarded as medical advice of the specialist in cognitive and neurological disorders. The online pharmacy does not accept any liability or responsibility for any injury, damage, or loss incurred by the use of, or reliance on, or interpretation of the information provided in this review of Aricept.

Aricept side effects

Most side effects, observed during the treatment with Aricept, are considered to be mild, temporary, and supposed to pass quickly. About 5% of cases are reported to reveal that Aricept may cause such side effects as headache, insomnia, muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting. A long-term application of Aricept pills may lead to psychopathological disorders, including asthenia.

Some side effects may require to discontinue the therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Aricept. If the patient experiences such side effects, as anorexia, bladder infection, or increased aggression, Aricept application should be immediately stopped. Less than 2% of patients are reported to stop taking the drug because of some side effects.