Aricept (Donepezil Hydrochloride) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 3, 2012

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Dementia facts*

*Dementia Facts Medically Edited by: Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD

Dementia is a term that describes a collection of symptoms that include decreased intellectual functioning that interferes with normal life functions and is usually used to describe people who have two or more major life functions impaired or lost such as memory, language, perception, judgment or reasoning; they may lose emotional and behavioral control, develop personality changes and have problem solving abilities reduced or lost.
There are different classification schemes for dementias roughly based (and with overlap) on observed problems; some frequently used are cortical (memory, language, thinking, social) , subcortical (emotions, movement, memory), progressive (cognitive abilities worsen over time), primary (results from a specific disease such as Alzheimer's disease and secondary (occurs because of disease or injury).
Alzhe...

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ARICEPT®
(donepezil hydrochloride) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

ARICEPT (donepezil hydrochloride) is a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, known chemically as (±)-2, 3-dihydro-5, 6-dimethoxy2-[[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]methyl]-1H-inden-1-one hydrochloride. Donepezil hydrochloride is commonly referred to in the pharmacological literature as E2020. It has an empirical formula of C₂₄H₂₉NO₃HCl and a molecular weight of 415.96. Donepezil hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder and is freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in water and in glacial acetic acid, slightly soluble in ethanol and in acetonitrile and practically insoluble in ethyl acetate and in n-hexane.

ARICEPT ® (donepezil hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

ARICEPT (donepezil hydrochloride) is available for oral administration in film-coated tablets containing 5, 10, or 23 mg of donepezil hydrochloride.

Inactive ingredients in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets are lactose monohydrate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains talc, polyethylene glycol, hypromellose and titanium dioxide. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains yellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.

Inactive ingredients in 23 mg tablets include ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and methacrylic acid copolymer, Type C. The film coating includes ferric oxide, hypromellose 2910, polyethylene glycol 8000, talc and titanium dioxide.

ARICEPT (donepezil hydrochloride) ODT tablets are available for oral administration. Each ARICEPT ODT tablet contains 5 or 10 mg of donepezil hydrochloride. Inactive ingredients are carrageenan, mannitol, colloidal silicon dioxide and polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains ferric oxide (yellow) as a coloring agent.

What are the possible side effects of donepezil (Aricept, Aricept ODT)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using donepezil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
painful or difficult urination;
seizure (black-out or convulsions);

Less serious side effects may...

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What are the precautions when taking donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept)?

Before taking donepezil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), fainting, heart disease (such as sick sinus syndrome, other heart conduction disorder), seizures, stomach/intestinal disease (such as ulcers, bleeding), trouble urinating (such as enlarged prostate).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform...

Read All Potential Precautions of Aricept »

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/6/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.