What Is Aricept Used For?

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of Americans every year. It is a disease that robs them of their memory, their cognitive abilities as well as their motor skills. It is a disease that no cure exists for; it can only be managed, the symptoms prevented or prolonged for a period of time. There are a variety of medications on the market today, some to assist with the cognitive losses and others to assist with the loss of the motor skills. Aricept is one of those medications, and though it may not work for everyone, it still offers hope for some.

Purpose

Aricept is meant to help those who suffer from the effects of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. It is used to treat those who suffer from mild to moderate Alzheimer's, and works by preventing the breakdown of the chemical acetylcholine, the chemical in the brain responsible for reasoning, thinking and memory.

Dosage

Aricept should be taken as prescribed by your doctor, and any time surgery is required, your doctor should be notified as it may be necessary to stop taking this medication for a short period beforehand. It can be taken with or without food, however when removing the tablet from the blister pack, it is better to either peel the backing off, or cut it off. Pushing the tablet through may cause the tablet to break. Be sure your hands are dry before placing the tablet in your mouth, as wet hands will cause the tablet to begin dissolving immediately. Once in your mouth, do not swallow the tablet, but rather let it dissolve and swallow several times as it begins to do so. After the pill has dissolved completely, drink a full glass of water. This medication is generally taken at bedtime, and if you have missed a dose, do not take two doses at once; just skip the missed dose and follow your regular schedule. It is possible to overdose on Aricept and symptoms of this include drooling, sweating, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, blurred vision, shallow breathing, slowed heart rate and seizures.

Side Effects

As with any medication, there are side effects associated with Aricept, some more severe than others. The more common side effects include diarrhea, muscle cramps, fatigue, insomnia and loss of appetite. Severe side effects that may require a doctor's attention include coughing up blood or blood found in vomit, painful or difficulty urination, black or bloody stools, and blacking out or convulsions. There is also a chance of an allergic reaction to Aricept and those symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, rash and hives.

Drug Interactions

There are a number of drugs that do not interact well with Aricept. They include but are not limited to antibiotics such as Rifcan, anticonvulsants such as such as Dilantin and Tegretol, fungal antibiotics such as Nizoral, Diflucan and Sporanox, and other medications like aspirin and non-antisteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Aleve and Volteran. This is not a complete list, so it is always in your best interest to tell your doctor what medications you are taking, both prescribed and over-the-counter. This includes vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements.

Warning

Aricept should not be used if the patient is allergic to donepezil (the generic form of Aricept). Also, if you have any drug allergies or have heart rhythm disorder, enlarged prostate, asthma, COPD, epilepsy or a history of stomach ulcers, you may need an adjustment in your dose of Aricept, or require testing while taking it to monitor the condition of your health.