Aricept is the brand name for the generic drug donepezil hydrochloride. It is used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The chemical acetylcholine is important for a person’s memory, reasoning and thinking. Breakdown of this chemical leads to memory problems. Donepezil treats by preventing the breakdown of this chemical. People who suffer from dementia will have lower levels of acetylcholine. Donepezil is available as regular tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (ODT). Aricept is available as 5 mg, 10 mg and 23 mg regular tablets. 5 mg and 10 mg ODTs are also available. They are available in bottles of 30, 90, and 1000 and also in blister packs.
Recommendations
Aricept is taken when you are retiring for the day in the evening. It is necessary that you do not crush the tablets when taking. Regular tablets can be taken as usual with water while the ODTs should be allowed to dissolve in your tongue and then you can take some water. 5 mg or 10 mg per day is the recommended dosage. The exact dosage should be prescribed by your doctor.
Precautions
If you are allergic to any drug, do disclose that to your doctor before you take Donepezil. People who have stomach ulcers, seizure disorders, asthma or COPD, enlarged prostate and slow heartbeats should consult their doctor before taking Aricept. People with such conditions might need to adjust the dosage of Aricept according to their conditions. If you are taking Aricept during pregnancy do inform you doctor prior to taking it. Donepezil might affect the unborn baby. Even if you are breast-feeding, it is necessary to discuss it with your physician before taking Donepezil. Drug interactions with Aricept are possible. If you are taking medicines like atropine, clidinium, belladonna, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine, methscopolamine, phenytoin, quindine, rifampin, nizoral, diflucan, sporanox, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs you have to disclose that to your doctor. Do not take Aricept without telling your doctor about the medicines that you already take. Tell your doctor even if you are taking any vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.