General Information and Indications:
Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer's
disease. Donepezil is in a class of medications called cholinesterase
inhibitors. It improves mental function by increasing the amount of a
certain natural substance in the brain.
Information For Users:
Donepezil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It
is usually taken once a day, at bedtime, with or without food. Follow the
directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you
have any questions. Take donepezil exactly as directed. Do not take more or
less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care
provider.
Your doctor might start you on a low dose of donepezil and increase your
dose after 4 to 6 weeks.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to donepezil, glutethimide, or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; aspirin and
other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); bethanechol (Duvoid, Urabeth,
Urecholine); carbamazepine (Tegretol); dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone);
ipratropium (Atrovent); ketoconazole (Nizoral); medications for glaucoma,
irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's
disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
phenytoin (Dilantin); quinidine (Quinidex); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane).
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you
carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding an ulcer, heart disease,
asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or
emphysema).
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking donepezil, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking donepezil.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Donepezil may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o upset stomach
o diarrhea
o difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
o vomiting
o muscle cramps
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o pain
o headache
o dizziness
o weight loss
o depression
o abnormal dreams
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o fainting
o slow heartbeat
o black and tarry stools (Melena)
o red blood in stools
o blood in the vomit (Hematemesis)
o vomiting that looks like coffee grounds
o difficulty in urination
o seizures
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o drooling
o sweating
o slow heartbeat
o difficulty breathing
o muscle weakness
o seizures
Brand Name(s):
o Aricept® |
