Donepezil

Donepezil is a medicine that has been approved to help relieve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. By stopping a specific enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine in the brain, the drug can help improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. Donepezil comes in a variety of strengths and is available in three different forms: oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, and oral solution.

 

What Is Donepezil?

Donepezil (Aricept®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat the symptoms of mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer's disease. It is not a cure for Alzheimer's, but it can help improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks.
 
(Click What Is Donepezil Used For? for more information on specific uses for donepezil.)
 

Donepezil: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking donepezil, you should tell your healthcare provider if you have:
 
  • Asthma or other lung disease
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Low blood pressure
  • Seizures or epilepsy
  • Stomach or intestinal disease, ulcers, or bleeding
  • An allergy to donepezil or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
It is also important to let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may currently be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Donepezil for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take donepezil.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;