Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) is a prescription drug used to treat dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Aricept can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include fatigue and nausea.

Doctors prescribe Aricept to treat dementia related to mild to severe Alzheimer’s disease in adults.

Aricept comes as both an oral tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet. Both forms contain the active ingredient donepezil hydrochloride. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Aricept can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Aricept treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects have been reported with Aricept. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But for symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Aricept unless your doctor recommends it.

Aricept may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Aricept, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Serious side effects have been reported with Aricept. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Aricept, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Aricept, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Aricept, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Aricept’s side effects.

Does Aricept cause long-term side effects?

It’s not likely. Long-term side effects are those which either last a long time while you’re taking Aricept or continue after you’ve stopped taking it.

In Aricept studies, most side effects were mild and temporary. But in rare cases the drug can cause serious lasting side effects, including bleeding or stomach ulcer. Tell your doctor if you have a history of ulcers or bleeding. They’ll determine if Aricept is safe for you.

If you have serious side effects, such as an ulcer or bleeding, while taking this drug, you may need medical treatment to manage them. And your doctor may recommend a drug other than Aricept for treating your condition.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about long-term side effects from Aricept.

Is Aricept safe for older adults?

Yes, in most cases Aricept is safe for older adults (ages 65 years and above). In studies of the drug, the average age of people taking Aricept was 73 years. There weren’t any major side effect differences between older adults and those younger than age 65.

However, some older adults may be more vulnerable to certain side effects of Aricept, such as:

Older adults may be more likely to become dehydrated if they have severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. According to Aricept studies, those weighing less than 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds) also have an increased risk of severe nausea, vomiting, and additional weight loss.

If you have questions about the safety of Aricept for use in older adults, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Will I experience certain side effects when stopping Aricept?

It’s not known whether you may have side effects when stopping Aricept treatment. Most side effects of the drug reported in studies were mild and temporary.

But you should not stop taking Aricept without a doctor’s recommendation. If you’d like to stop the drug, talk with your doctor first. They can discuss your treatment progress with you and tell you about the likelihood of side effects when stopping Aricept. They can also gradually wean you off the medication and monitor you for signs of any problems.

Can Aricept cause changes in blood pressure?

Yes. In rare cases Aricept can cause changes in blood pressure. Some people taking the drug in studies reported high blood pressure.

Taking too much Aricept can cause low blood pressure. If you have high or low blood pressure, tell your doctor. They can tell you more about blood pressure changes with Aricept and may monitor you closely for any changes during your treatment.

Learn more about some of the side effects Aricept may cause.

Insomnia

Aricept can cause insomnia (trouble sleeping). This was a common but mild side effect reported by people taking Aricept in studies of the drug. For most people, this is a temporary side effect that goes away with continued treatment.

Keep in mind that insomnia may have other causes, such as other medical conditions or medications, and stress or anxiety.

What might help

If you experience insomnia that doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They can discuss causes and offer suggestions to help with sleep management. In cases of serious insomnia that’s disturbing your quality of life, they may suggest switching you to a different medication.

Nausea

Nausea was a common but mild side effect reported in Aricept studies. Most people experience mild nausea that goes away with continued treatment, but severe nausea has been reported in rare cases.

What might help

Nausea is more likely to occur at the beginning of Aricept treatment and with any dose increases. If you need to have your dose adjusted, your doctor will likely increase it slowly to minimize the risk of side effects such as nausea.

If you have severe nausea, call your doctor. Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can cause dehydration requiring medical attention. Your doctor may recommend switching you to a different treatment if you have ongoing or severe nausea.

Loss of appetite

Aricept may cause loss of appetite. This was a common but mild side effect reported in the drug’s studies. But people who weigh less than 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds) and experience loss of appetite may have more serious nausea, vomiting, and weight loss with Aricept.

What might help

You may have loss of appetite when starting treatment with Aricept. In most cases, this is temporary and goes away with continued treatment. However, certain people may have more serious appetite loss and other side effects which affect their weight.

If you continue to have appetite loss while taking Aricept, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage it. In some cases, they may suggest switching you to a different treatment to avoid excessive weight loss.

Muscle cramps

Muscle cramps were a common but mild side effect of Aricept reported by people taking the drug in studies. For most people this was a temporary side effect that went away with continued treatment.

There may be other causes of muscle cramps, including other side effects of Aricept. For example, if you have severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea and become dehydrated, you may have muscle cramps.

What might help

If you experience muscle cramps which are bothersome or don’t go away, talk with your doctor. They can diagnose the cause and suggest ways to manage this side effect. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you have vomiting or diarrhea. This will help lower your risk of dehydration and muscle cramps.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Aricept can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Aricept, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Aricept, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Aricept treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Aricept affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Aricept may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Aricept is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Aricept. Factors to consider include those described below.

Heart problems. Aricept can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) or heart block (changes in the heart’s electrical signal). If you have heart problems, tell your doctor, as this drug could make your heart condition worse. They’ll decide whether Aricept is safe for you to take.

Stomach ulcers or bleeding. Aricept can increase the level of acid in your stomach. This could raise your risk of peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. Tell your doctor if you’ve had stomach problems, including ulcers or bleeding, in the past. They’ll decide if you can take Aricept safely.

Weight Loss. Aricept can cause weight loss due to some of its side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you weigh less than 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds), your doctor may monitor you more closely for severe nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. They’ll determine whether Aricept is safe for you to take.

Lung conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any ongoing lung conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as Aricept may worsen these conditions. Your doctor will decide whether the drug is safe for you to take.

Bladder conditions. Aricept may cause bladder blockage. This can make it hard to urinate or cause other problems, such as infection and pain. Tell your doctor if you’ve had problems with your bladder in the past. They’ll determine whether Aricept is safe for you.

Seizures. Aricept can cause seizures and Alzheimer’s disease can increase the risk of seizures.Before starting this drug, tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures. They’ll determine if Aricept is safe for you to take.

Liver problems. Let your doctor know if you have a history of liver problems.In some cases, if your liver isn’t working well, it may take longer for Aricept to leave your body. This increases the risk of side effects from the drug. Your doctor will determine if Aricept is safe for you. In some cases, they may prescribe a lower dose of the drug and monitor you for side effects.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Aricept or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Alcohol and Aricept

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Aricept, but both can cause similar side effects. These include:

If you plan to drink alcohol while taking Aricept, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Aricept

It’s not known if Aricept is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, the drug treats dementia related to mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer’s disease, which usually happens with older age. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about Aricept and its side effects.

Aricept may cause certain side effects that range from mild to serious. Most are mild and go away with continued Aricept treatment. However, in rare cases, severe side effects are possible.

If you or someone you care for has been prescribed Aricept and you have questions about side effects the drug can cause, talk with a doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • Am I more likely to experience nausea when I first start Aricept?
  • Can Aricept cause sexual side effects?
  • Do I have a higher risk of stomach ulcer from Aricept if I take ibuprofen?

To learn more about Aricept, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.