Side Effects of Aricett

The Alzheimer's Association reports that 5.3 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, a degenerative disease that causes a loss of memory. In addition to the threat of dementia, Alzheimer's increases your risk of developing pneumonia and serious infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though there is no cure for the disease, there are prescription medications available to help slow the devastating effects of Alzheimer's, including Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) or Aricett. Despite its effectiveness, Aricept is not for everyone, as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• Approximately 10 to 11 percent of Aricept users report headache, nausea and diarrhea, making these the most common side effects of the drug. Muscle cramps, insomnia and dizziness are also common, occurring in at least 6 percent of users. More than 2 percent of patients who take Aricept experience fatigue, vomiting, loss of appetite, skin discoloration, weight loss, depression and abnormal dreams.

Other Side Effects

• Aricept also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Additional gastrointestinal side effects include bloating, flatulence, dry mouth, hemorrhoids and increased thirst. Approximately 2 percent of patients experience more frequent urination, drowsiness or joint pain while taking Aricept. Neurological or psychological side effects of the drug are also possible, such as tremors, irritability, tingling in the extremities, increased libido, lack of coordination, abnormal crying and nervousness. While taking Aricept, some patients describe an increased incidence of motion sickness, a change in the taste of food, ringing in the ears and dry eyes.

Drug Interactions

• There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Aricept. For example, Aricept reduces the effectiveness of anticholinergic medications, causing a resurgence of symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. When combined with cholinomimetics like bethanechol, Aricept frequently causes an increased incidence of side effects. Using Aricept with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen increases your risk of developing severe gastrointestinal side effects.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Aricept has the potential to cause serious medical complications. Some patients experience cardiovascular side effects, such as increases or decreases in blood pressure, angina, changes in heart rate, the formation of blood clots and heart attack. Serious gastrointestinal side effects are also possible while taking Aricept, including stomach ulcers, diverticulitis, and irritation of your colon, stomach lining or esophagus. Some patients develop a shortage of blood platelets or thrombocytopenia while undergoing treatment with the Aricept, increasing the risk of developing bleeding inside the skull.

Considerations

• Aricept has the potential cause still births and is typically avoided during pregnancy. If you have a history of heart disease, bleeding in your digestive tract, kidney disease, seizures or asthma, your doctor is not likely to prescribe Aricept for you because of its possible side effects. If you are scheduled to have a dental procedure or surgery, it is important to let your dentist or doctor know you are taking Aricept because it may not be safe for you to receive certain kinds of anesthetics. Since it has the potential to cause dizziness and drowsiness, you should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery until you know how Aricept will affect you.