Aricept Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Warnings

Donepezil (Aricept)

Donepezil oral tablet is available as a brand name drug Aricept. It is also available as a general medicine. Generic drugs usually have lower cost than the brand name version. In some cases, they can not be available in every form or form in the form of a brand name drug.

Donepezil (Aricept) is a prescription drug. It comes in two oral tablet forms: oral tablets and oral disruptive tablets (ODT).

This drug can be used as part of the combination therapy. This means that you have to take it with other medicines.

Why it is Used

Donepezil is used to treat dementia due to light, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s disease. This drug is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but it can help to slow down the progress of your symptoms. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will get worse over time even if you take medicines like Donepezil.

How it works

Donepezil (Aricept) is related to a range of medicines called acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

People with Alzheimer’s disease have a small amount of chemical called acetylcholine in the brain. Low levels of this chemistry can cause dementia, or problems in mental function or daily work. Donepezil works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine. It can help reduce dementia symptoms.

Donepezil Side Effects

The Donepezil (Aricept) oral tablet does not cause sleep, but it can cause other side effects.

More Common Side Effects

The more common side effects that may occur with Donepezil include:

•  Nausea
•  Diarrhea
•  Do not sleep well
•  Vomiting
•  Muscle cramps
•  Fatigue
•  Do not want to eat food or poor appetite
•  Injury
•  Weight event

If these effects are lightweight, then they can go within a few days or a few weeks. If they are more serious or do not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Severe Side Effects

If you have serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Call 911 if your symptoms put life at risk or you think you have a medical emergency. Severe side effects and their symptoms may include:

•  Slow heart rate and tilt
•  Stomach ulcers and bleeding, symptoms may include:
»  Heartburn
»  Stomach pain which will not go away
»  Vomiting
»  Your vomiting blood, or black vomiting, which looks like a coffee ground
»  Bowel movement that looks like black
•  Lung problems in people with asthma or other lung diseases
•  Seizure
•  Urination trouble

Due to some anesthesia medicines, it can cause side effects of Donepezil. Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine before you have any medical or dental surgery or procedures.

Donepezil can interact with other medicines

Donepezil (Aricept) oral tablets can interact with other medicines, vitamins or herbs that you can take. A conversation occurs when a substance changes the way the drug changes. It can be harmful or prevent medication from working well.

To help prevent conversation, your doctor should carefully manage all of your medicines. Make sure to tell your doctor about all those medicines, vitamins, or herbs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out how this medication can interact with anything else you may be taking.

Examples of medicines that can interact with donepezil are listed below.

Anesthesia Medicines

These drugs and Donepezil (Aricept) work the same way. Taking them together can increase your risk of side effects. Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine before you have any medical or dental surgery or procedures.

Examples of these medicines include:
•  Succinylcholine

Antifungal drugs

When taken with the Donepezil (Aricept), these medicines can increase the level of the donepezil in your body. There may be more side effects than this. Examples of these medicines include:
•  Ketoconazole

Antihistamines

These drugs and Donepezil (Aricept) work in opposite ways. If you take them together, then medicines can be less effective. Or you may have high risk of side effects. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Dimenhydrinate
•  Diphenhydramine
•  Hydroxyzine

Antiseizure drugs

When taken with the Donepezil (Aricept), these medicines can reduce the level of donepezil in your body. This means that it can not work even for the treatment of your dementia. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Phenytoin
•  Carbamazepine
•  Phenobarbital

Depression Medications

Donepezil (Aricept) and some antidepressants work in opposite ways. If you take them together, then medicines can be less effective. Or you may have high risk of side effects. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Amitriptyline
•  Desipramine
•  Doxepin
•  Nortriptyline

Heart Medicines

When taken with the Donepezil (Aricept), these medicines can increase the level of the donepezil in your body. There may be more side effects than this. Examples of these medicines include:
•  Quinidine

Highly active bladder medicines

These drugs and Donepezil (Aricept) work in opposite ways. If you take them together, then medicines can be less effective. Or you may have high risk of side effects. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Darifenacin
•  Oxybutynin
•  Tolterodine
•  Trospium

Steroids

When Donepezil (Aricept) is taken with, then some steroids can reduce the level of donepezil in your body. This means that it can not work to treat your dementia. Examples of these medicines include:
•  Dexamethasone

Stomach Medicines

Some stomach medicines and Donepezil (Aricept) work in the opposite abdomen. If you take them together, then medicines can be less effective. Or you may have high risk of side effects. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Dicyclomine
•  Hyoscyamine
•  Loperamide

Tuberculosis drugs

When taken with the Donepezil (Aricept), these medicines can reduce the level of donepezil in your body. This means that it can not work to treat your dementia. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Rifampin

Urinary Retention drugs

These medicines work for equally Donepezil (Aricept). Taking them together can increase your risk of side effects. Examples of these medicines include:

•  Bethanechol

How to take Donepezil (Aricept)

All possible dosages and forms can not be included here. Your dosage, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

•  Your age
•  The condition is being treated
•  Severity of your condition
•  You have other medical conditions
•  How do you react to the first dose

Drug Forms and Strengths

Generic: Donepezil

•  Form: Oral tablet
•  Strength: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 23 mg
•  Form: Oral Vertical Tablet (ODT)
•  Strength: 5 mg and 10 mg

Brand: Aricept

•  Form: Oral tablet
•  Strength: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 23 mg

Dementia for Dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease

Adult Dosage (18 years and over)

Lightly medium alzheimer’s disease: 5 mg of normal initial dose is taken every evening before going to bed. After 4 to 6 weeks, if needed, your doctor may increase your dose up to 10 mg per day.
Moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease: Early dose is taken 5 ml in the evening before going to bed. After 4 to 6 weeks, if needed, your doctor may increase your dose up to 10 mg per day. After 3 months, your doctor may increase your dose up to 23 milligrams per day.

Child Dose (0 to 17 years of age)

This drug has not been studied in children. It should not be used in children under the age of 18.

Dose increases

Your doctor will gradually increase your dose if necessary. This allows the work of medication to work and reduces your risk of side effects.

Special dose consideration

For people with liver problems: If your liver is not functioning well, then most of this medicine can last longer in your body and put you at greater risk of side effects. You may need a low dose or a separate dose schedule.

Donepezil Warnings

This medicine comes with many warnings.

Slow Heart Rate Warning

Donepezil can cause heart rate and throwing at slow speed. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately. If you have a heart problem then your risk of this issue can be high.

Stomach Bleeding / Ulcer Warning

Donepezil (Aricept) can increase your stomach acid, which increases the risk of stomach bleeding or ulcer. The risk is high for people with ulcers history, and people on aspirin or other non-horizontal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) If you have a history of ulcers or stomach issues, or ask your doctor if you are taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Allergic Warning

Donepezil (Aricept) can cause severe allergic reactions. Symptoms include:

•  Trouble in breathing or ingest
•  Swelling of your face, lips, throat, or tongue
•  Hives

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you ever have an allergic reaction or have other paperidines drugs, do not take this medicine again. It can be fatal to take it again (cause of death).

Warning for people with some health conditions

For those with heart problems: If you have problems with your heart, then ask your doctor, especially problems with irregular, slow or sharp heart rate. You have high risks to experiencing slow heart and fanning during taking Donepezil.

For people with stomach ulcers or bleeding: If you have a history of stomach problems, ulcers or bleeding, talk to your doctor. Donepezill can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. You may be at risk of another abdominal ulcer or bleeding.

For people with lung problems: If you have asthma or other lung diseases, talk to your doctor. Donepezil (Aricept) can worsen these conditions, so it needs to be used with caution.

For people with bladder problems: Donepezil (Aricept) can block your bladder, which makes it difficult to urinate. If you have a bladder problem in the past, talk to your doctor.

For people with seizures or epilepsy: Donepezil (Aricept) can cause a tour. If you have a history of tourism then ask your doctor. Alzheimer’s disease can also increase the risk of seizures.

For people with liver problems: If you have a history of liver problem then talk to your doctor. If your liver is not functioning well, then this medication can be longer in your body. It puts you at greater risk of side effects.

Warning for other groups

For pregnant women: Donepezil (Aricept) is a category pregnancy drug. It means two things:

1. When mother takes medication, research in animals has shown adverse effects on the fetus.
2. In humans, not enough studies have been done to ensure that medication can affect the fetus.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant. Donepezil (Aricept) can be used only during pregnancy when the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, call your doctor immediately.

For lactating women: It is not known what has been done in the Papage breast milk. If this happens, then it can cause side effects in lactating children. If you breastfeed your baby, talk to your doctor. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop stopping this medication.

For Senior Citizens: As soon as you age, your limbs (such as your liver and kidneys) can not work and also work even when you were younger. More than this drug can last longer in your body, which increases the risk of side effects.

For children: It has not been established that the sphere in children under 18 years of age is safe or effective.

Take it as a directive

The Donepezil (Aricept) oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. If you do not set it, then it comes with serious risks.

If you do not take it at all or stop stopping it: If you do not take it regularly or stop taking it, then the paciel will not work to treat your dementia and not improve your symptoms. It is possible.

If you take too much: If you have been too much, you can face these side effects:

•  Serious nausea
•  Vomiting
•  Doling (increased negligence)
•  Sweating
•  Slow heart rate
•  Low blood pressure
•  Difficulty breathing
•  Seizure
•  Muscle weakness

If you believe that you have taken too much of this medicine, call your doctor or get guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online equipment.

But if your symptoms are serious, call 911 or go to the immediate emergency room immediately. You can be given medication like atropine to remove the effect of taking too much effect.

What to do if you miss the dose: If you remember adoption supplements, then leave that supplement. Wait and take your next scheduled dose at your normal time.

Do not take two doses at the same time for missed dose. If you have been for seven days or more, then talk to your doctor before you start it again.

How to tell that the drug is working: your mental work and ability to do daily tasks should improve.

It is important to take care that the Donepezil (Aricept) does not cure Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease worsen over time, even if you take this medication.

Important considerations for taking Donepezil (Aricept)

Keep your thoughts in mind if your doctor has done it for you.

General

•  Donepezil can be taken with or without food.
•  Take you to the evening before going to bed needed.
•  Do not split, crush or chew 23 mg tablets.

Storage

•  Store this medication at room temperature between 59 ° F and 86 ° F (15 ° C and 30 ° C).
•  Do not bath this medicine in moisture or moist areas like bathroom.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You must not need a new leaflet to replenish this medication. Your doctor will write the number of authorized refills on your prescription.

Travel

While traveling with your medicine:

•  Always take your medication. While flying, do not put it in any check bag. Put it in your carry-on bag.
•  Do not worry about Airport X-ray machines. They can not harm your medicine.
•  You may need to show the pharmacy label for your medicine to the airport staff. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
•  Do not put this medicine in your car’s glove box or leave it in the car. Avoid doing this if the weather is too hot or too cold.

Self management

If you are taking oral tablets, do not swallow the pills completely. Let them dissolve on your tongue. Then drink water to make sure that you have taken full dose of medication.

Clinical Monitoring

Before starting and treatment with Donepezil (Aricept), your doctor may check the following:

Stomach ulcers or bleeding. This medicine can increase stomach acid, which increases the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. You and your doctor should monitor the following symptoms:
•  Heartburn
•  Stomach pain which will not go away
•  Vomiting
•  Your vomiting or vomiting of vomiting in the blood of vomiting like coffee vomiting
•  Bowel movement that looks like black

Weight. Some people lose their appetite and lose weight while taking this medicine.

Availability

There is no pharmacy stock in this medicine. When filling your pamphlet, be sure to move forward to ensure that your pharmacy takes it.

Prior Authorization

Many insurance companies require prior authorization for 23 milligrams of this drug. This means that your doctor will need approval from your insurance company before paying for your insurance company prescription.

Are there any options?

Other medicines are available to treat your condition. Some may be better for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that can work for you.

4 thoughts on “Aricept Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Warnings

  1. Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout
    out and tell you I really enjoy reading through your articles.
    Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics?
    Thank you so much!

  2. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this
    post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly
    you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *