Note: The brief summary provided below does not include all information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult the prescribing doctor and read the package insert before using these or any other medications or supplements.
ARICEPT (donepezil HCl) prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, having been clinically proven to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate AD. It is available for oral administration in tablets containing 5 or 10 mg of donepezil hydrochloride. This medication is not available in liquid form.
Everyone responds differently to medicine, so there is no way to tell if ARICEPT will work for you. It is important to remember that symptoms of AD get worse over time. With treatment, symptoms may get better, stay the same, or progress at a slower rate. Thus, a treatment that slows the progression of symptoms is a successful treatment.
Side Effects:
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia, muscle cramps, fatigue or loss of appetite. In studies, these side effects were usually mild and temporary. Some people taking ARICEPT may experience fainting. People at risk for ulcers should tell their doctors because their condition may get worse.
Drug Interactions:
None observed in laboratory studies, but NSAIDs should be used with caution in combination with this medication.*
* Use of cholinesterase inhibitors can increase risk of stomach ulcers, and because prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin or ibuprofen can also cause stomach ulcers, NSAIDS should be used with caution in combination with these medications.
Other Medications Used to Treat Dementia
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