Aricept Prescribing Information

Aricept is the brand name for the prescription medication donepezil. Doctors most commonly prescribe Aricept for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in order to improve thinking ability.

Significance

• Aricept does not prevent or cure Alzheimer's and will not stop the disease from becoming worse, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is used to improve cognitive ability, not to cause a return of memory or completely restore mental abilities.

Function

• Aricept works by stopping the process that breaks down a chemical in the brain known as acetylcholine. By boosting levels of this chemical in your brain, Aricept improves mental functioning.

Dosage

• For mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, 5 mg to 10 mg of Aricept daily is sufficient, while more severe forms of the disease require 10 mg per day. Doctors begin treatment with Aricept with a lower dosage for four to six weeks before increasing the dose to 10 mg in order to avoid side effects.

Risks

• The most common side effects of Aricept include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue and loss of appetite. Use of Aricept poses a risk for heart blockages, gastrointestinal bleeding, bladder obstruction and seizures, according to RxList.

Considerations

• Because it's not known how it affects fetal development, doctors restrict use of Aricept in pregnant women to situations where there is no safe alternative to treatment. If you have a history of asthma, lung disease, peptic ulcers, urinary blockages, heart problems or liver dysfunction, it may not be safe for you to take Aricept, warns the Mayo Clinic.