Aricept vs. Razadyne

• Are Razadyne and Aricept the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aricept?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Razadyne?
• What Is Aricept?
• What Is Razadyne?
• What Drugs Interact with Aricept?
• What Drugs Interact with Razadyne?
• How Should Aricept Be Taken?
• How Should Razadyne Be Taken?

Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) and Razadyne ER (galantamine hydrobromide) are cholinesterase inhibitors used to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate dementia like that found in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Common side effects of Aricept include:

• feeling unwell (malaise),
• appetite loss,
• weight loss,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• muscle cramps,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• shakiness (tremor),
• itchy skin,
• nausea,
• vomiting, or
• diarrhea.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Aricept including painful urination, seizures, chest pain, and GI symptoms of tarry or bloody stools and vomiting blood or material that resembles "coffee grounds."

Common side effects of Razadyne include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• runny nose,
• depression,
• sleep problems (insomnia), and
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Tell your doctor if you have any serious side effects of Razadyne ER including:

• fainting,
• unusually slow heartbeat, or
• difficult urination.

Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) is a cholinesterase inhibitor that reduces or prevents acetylcholine breakdown in brain tissue. Aricept is used to treat mild to moderate dementia like that found in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Aricept is not a cure; it reduces symptoms.

Razadyne ER (galantamine hydrobromide) is a cholinesterase inhibitor that works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Aricept may interact with many drugs; tell the physician if you have a history of breathing problems, heart disease, fainting, seizures, GI diseases or urinary problems because they may get worst with this drug. Aricept is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Aricept safety and effectiveness has not been studied in the pediatric population.

Razadyne ER may interact with atropine, belladonna, clidinium, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, ketoconazole, mepenzolate, methantheline, methscopolamine, paroxetine, propantheline, or scopolamine.

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

The recommended starting dose of Razadyne ER is 8 mg/day. The dose should be increased to the initial maintenance dose of 16 mg/day after a minimum of 4 weeks. A further increase to 24 mg/day should be attempted after a minimum of 4 weeks at 16 mg/day.