Donepezil
About Donepezil
Donepezil is used to treat the symptoms of dementia in people with mild and moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. In Alzheimer's disease, the brain cells degenerate and die, which causes a gradual decline in behavioural/social skills and thinking ability (dementia).
Donepezil contains Donepezil, which works by increasing the levels of a substance (acetylcholine) in the brain involved in memory function by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine. Thereby, it helps treat symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
In some cases, Donepezil may cause side effects like diarrhoea, nausea, headache, muscle cramps and tiredness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult the doctor.
Do not take Donepezil if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform the doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, a stomach ulcer, urination problems, asthma or other breathing disorders, seizures or liver disease. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep the doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Donepezil
Medicinal Benefits
Donepezil belongs to the group of medicines called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors used to treat the symptoms of dementia in people with mild and moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil contains Donepezil, which works by increasing the levels of a substance (acetylcholine) in the brain involved in memory function by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine. Thereby, it helps treat symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Donepezil
Diarrhoea
Loss of appetite
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Trouble sleeping
Unusual tiredness
Weakness
Vomiting
Drug Warnings
Do not take Donepezil if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform the doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, stomach or duodenal ulcer, seizure or convulsions, heart problems, low levels of potassium or magnesium, lung disease, or extrapyramidal symptoms. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep the doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking anti-hypertensive (metoprolol) or antipsychotics (quetiapine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, stomach ulcers, urination problems, breathing problems, liver disease, or seizures.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Donepezil. Alcohol intake, along with Donepezil, can worsen the symptoms of dementia.
Pregnancy
cautionDonepezil can only be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Donepezil passes into breast milk or not. Breast-feeding women should ask their doctor before using this medication.
Driving
cautionAlzheimer’s disease may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery; therefore, you must not perform these activities unless your doctor tells you that it is safe to do so. Also, this medicine can cause tiredness, dizziness and muscle cramps. If you experience any of these effects you must not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionDonepezil may not be recommended for patients with severe liver disease. Consult the doctor if you have liver impairment.
Kidney
consult your doctorConsult the doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeDonepezil has not been approved to use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
A person dealing with Alzheimer's disease needs to take proper nutrition to make their body strong and healthy. For a patient dealing with dementia, poor nutrition can affect behavioral symptoms and may cause weight loss.
Consume more whole grains, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein foods, and cut down high saturated fat, refined sugars, and cholesterol from your diet.
Patients dealing with dementia should do meditation activities that help calm down their minds and make medicine work more efficiently.
Do physical exercises that are safe for Alzheimer/ dementia patients.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Alzheimer's disease: It is a chronic progressive disease in which the brain cells degenerate and die and is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia affects a person's ability to function independently and affects a person's thinking, judgment, behaviour, and memory. People dealing with this disease face symptoms like memory loss that affects daily activities, difficulty in doing familiar tasks and problem-solving, trouble in speech or writing, decreased judgment /personal hygiene, and personality changes.
FAQs
Donepezil is used to treat the symptoms of dementia in people with mild and moderately severe Alzheimer's disease.
Donepezil works by increasing the levels of a substance (acetylcholine) in the brain involved in memory function by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine.
Do not stop taking Donepezil unless told to do so by your doctor. If you stop taking Donepezil, the benefits of your treatment will gradually fade away.
Donepezil may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, weakness and unusual tiredness. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Donepezil results in bone weakness and can increase the risk of fractures in elderly patients if taken in high doses for extended period of time.
Donepezil may cause diarrhoea as a common side effect but sometimes can be serious. Donepezil reduces the levels of gastric acid and can increase the bacterial count in the gut and can lead to infections. Thus, if you have persistent diarrhoea, consult your doctor immediately.
The long term use of the Donepezil results in liver function disturbances, changes in electrolyte (magnesium, calcium and sodium) levels and B12 deficiency. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as loss of appetite, yellow skin and eyes, nausea, dizziness, itching, fits, headache, tiredness, irritability, or pale skin, consult your doctor immediately. As you have been prescribed Donepezil for a long duration, your doctor may recommend regular follow-ups and blood tests.
Yes, you can Donepezil on an empty stomach or with food or as advised by your doctor. But take it at the same time every day for best results.
