Aricept (donepezil) Oral Medicine for Alzheimer & Dementia Treatment
Aricept or donepezil oral is administered to patients with mild to moderate dementia usually resulting from Alzheimer's disease. The drug works by improving the functions of certain nerve cells located in the brain. It prevents the collapse of a chemical known as acetylcholine, which is clinically proven to be in lower levels with people who have dementia.
Donepezil is supplied in regular tablet form or in ODT (orally disintegrating tablet) form and can be taken without meal or milk. It is usually taken at bedtime and with a glass full of water. The ODT form should be handled with care as not to damage the tablet. Let Aricept ODT dissolve in your mouth. If you are scheduled for any type of surgery, inform your surgeon ahead of time as you might be advised to stop taking the medicine first.
Donepezil may be used for other treatments other than the ones listed above.
Side Effects:
Identified less serious side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling of tiredness
- Occurrence of sleeping disorders such as insomnia.
- Diarrhea
Serious side effects that need immediate medical attention include:
- Seizures or convulsions
- Black or bloody stools
- Coughing up blood
- Difficult or painful urination
- Bloody stools
Patients should also inform their healthcare provider if they are taking other prescription drugs such as:
- Aspirin or NSAIDs
- Belladonna, atropine
- Carbamezepine, clidinium, dexamethasone
- Bentyl, Robinul, Anaspaz, Levsin
- Phenobarbital, phenytoin, quinidine
- Antibiotics such as rifampin
Active ingredients in these drugs might interfere adversely and may pose danger to one's health.
Warnings:
It is also recommended that you inform your doctor if you have other pre-existing ailments and conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, urination problems, stomach ulcers, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, heart rhythm disorder, or if you have an enlarged prostate.
Aricept is also not advised to be used by nursing moms, pregnant women and those planning to get pregnant or father a child. This drug is FDA pregnant category C rated. It may be harmful to unborn baby that is why pregnant mother and those planning to be pregnant must talk to their doctors first before using this medication. It is also not know whether donepezil passes into breast milk. Breast feeding mother must tell their doctors that they are breast feeding.
As with any drug, always tell your doctor about known drug interactions or side effects to certain medications. Aricept is not for everybody, your doctor will decide based on your condition and history with other medications.