Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimers disease. Donepezil is in a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors. It improves mental function by increasing the amount of a certain natural substance in the brain.
How should this medicine
be used ?
Donepezil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day, at bedtime, with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take donepezil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of donepezil and increase your dose after 4 to 6 weeks.
What special precautions
i should follow ?
Before taking donepezil, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to donepezil, glutethimide, or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); bethanechol (Duvoid, Urabeth, Urecholine); carbamazepine (Tegretol); dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone); ipratropium (Atrovent); ketoconazole (Nizoral); medications for glaucoma, irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, myasthenia gravis, Parkinsons disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); quinidine (Quinidex); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an ulcer, heart disease, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema). tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking donepezil, call your doctor. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking donepezil.
What special dietary
instructions should i follow ?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What side effects can
this medicine cause ?
Donepezil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: upset stomach diarrhea difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep vomiting muscle cramps excessive tiredness loss of appetite pain headache dizziness weight loss depression abnormal dreams Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately: fainting slow heartbeat black and tarry stools red blood in stools bloody vomit vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds difficulty urinating seizures Donepezil may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions
are needed for this medication ?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What should i do if i
forget a dose ?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
