Aricept Instructions

Aricept is a medication for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aricept is a brand name for donepezil hydrochloride and is marketed by Pfizer. Doctors usually prescribe it for the treatment of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Aricept works by improving the function of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. Research indicates that acetylcholine function might be impaired in Alzheimers patients. The drug is currently marketed in 5, 10 and 23 mg tablets, as well as in 5 and 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets. Take Aricept according to your physician's instructions.

Instructions

1. Take Aricept once a day just before going to bed.

2. Swallow regular Aricept tablets whole, with water. Do not split, crush or chew them. If your prescription is for orally disintegrating tablets, allow them to fully dissolve on your tongue, then drink some water.

3. Wait until the next day's dose if you miss a dose of Aricept. Do not take two doses at the same time.

4. Consult with your doctor before restarting Aricept if you've missed taking it for seven days or more.

5. Call a doctor or poison control center or go to an emergency room immediately if you take too much Aricept.

6. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following while taking Aricept: fainting; unusual heartburn or stomach pain; vomiting; bloody or dark vomit; black, tarry bowel movements; new or worsening asthma or other breathing problems; seizures; or difficulty passing urine.

Tips & Warnings

• Aricept can be taken either with or without food.

• Overdose of Aricept can cause severe nausea, vomiting, salivation, sweating, slow heartbeat,

• low blood pressure, respiratory depression, fainting or convulsions, and could be fatal. Seek medical help immediately if you have taken more than a single dose of Aricept at any one time.

• If you are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's, you should be careful to monitor the person's use of Aricept. If you are unsure of the person's ability to follow dosage instructions or to remember taking a dose, you should administer Aricept to the person yourself.

• Be sure to tell your doctor you are taking Aricept before having medical, surgical or dental procedures, because Aricept can increase the muscle-relaxing properties of some anesthetics.

References

• Pfizer: Aricept Prescribing and Patient Information
• Neuroscience for Kids: Neurotransmitters and Neuroactive Peptides
• Pharmacology 2000: Autonomic (ANS) Pharmacology: Introduction

Resources

• Alzheimer's Association: What is Alzheimer's
• Alzheimer's Foundation of America: Caregiving Tips: Strategies for Success