• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
DONEPEZIL (doe NEP e zil) is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• changes in vision
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• problems with balance
• slow heartbeat, or palpitations
• stomach pain
• unusual bleeding or bruising, red or purple spots on the skin
• vomiting
• weight loss

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea, especially when starting treatment
• headache
• indigestion or heartburn
• loss of appetite
• muscle cramps
• nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You may take this medicine with or without food. Take this medicine at regular intervals. This medicine is usually taken before bedtime. Do not take it more often than directed. Continue to take your medicine even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Contact your health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose, do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• atropine
• benztropine
• bethanechol
• carbamazepine
• dexamethasone
• dicyclomine
• glycopyrrolate
• hyoscyamine
• ipratropium
• itraconazole or ketoconazole
• medicines for motion sickness
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• other medicines for Alzheimer's disease
• oxybutynin
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• quinidine
• rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine
• trihexyphenidyl

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to donepezil or piperidine derivatives or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check with your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or other lung disease
• difficulty passing urine
• head injury
• heart disease, slow heartbeat
• liver disease
• Parkinson's disease
• seizures (convulsions)
• stomach or intestinal disease, ulcers or stomach bleeding
• an unusual or allergic reaction to donepezil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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