Generic Name: donepezil (oral) (doe NEH peh zil)
Brand Names: Aricept
Aricept : Important Information
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Donepezil may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What is Aricept ?
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Aricept drug is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is associated with low levels of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KOH leen) in your brain. The exact way that Aricept drug works is unknown. However, it is believed that Aricept drug prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in your brain.
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Aricept drug is used to improve thinking and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
- Aricept drug may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What to discuss before using Aricept
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Before taking Aricept drug, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease, including difficulty urinating;
- have liver disease;
- have heart disease such as a slow or irregular heartbeat;
- have a history of stomach ulcers;
- take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), ketorolac (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others, on a regular basis;
- have seizures or a history of seizures;
- have lung problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); or
- need to have surgery.
- You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Donepezil is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether donepezil will harm an unborn baby. Do not take donepezil without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
- It is also not known whether Aricept drug will harm a nursing infant. Do not take Aricept drug without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Aricept Dosage Method
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Take Aricept drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Aricept drug can be taken with or without food or milk.
- Aricept drug is usually taken once a day, at bedtime. Follow your doctor's directions.
- Store Aricept drug at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Miss a dose: Problems?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Aricept Overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of a donepezil overdose include severe nausea, vomiting, watering mouth, sweating, slow heartbeat, slow breathing, prolonged or severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, seizures, and collapse.
Avoid During Treatment
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Aricept drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Aricept Side Effects
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Stop taking Aricept drug and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
- Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take Aricept drug and talk to your doctor if you experience
- drowsiness or dizziness;
- nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
- abdominal pain or diarrhea;
- muscle cramps;
- insomnia or vivid dreams; or
- dry mouth.
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs to avoid while undergoing treatment
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Before taking Aricept drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
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ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), or itraconazole (Sporanox);
- quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- dexamethasone (Decadron), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), or another steroid;
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater) or rifabutin (Mycobutin), or
- phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), pentobarbital (Nembutal), secobarbital (Seconal), or mephobarbital (Mebaral).
- You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with donepezil. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Aricept drug is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is associated with low levels of a chemical called acetylcholine in your brain. Aricept drug is used to improve thinking and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Aricept drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Be sure that you discuss with your doctor the risks of using aricept medication as well as the good that it can do.
