Donepezil how does it work

For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. As your body gets used to donepezil, these side effects should wear off. If you are still bothered by them after a week or two, speak to a doctor. They may want to adjust your dose or recommend a different medicine. Some medicines do not mix well with donepezil. They can increase the risk of side effects or stop donepezil working as well as it should.

Do not take anti-inflammatory painkillers NSAIDs , such as aspirin or ibuprofen, without checking with a doctor first. St John's wort can lower the levels of donepezil in your blood. This can stop your medicine from working as well as it should.

Tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. Donepezil works by helping your nerve cells communicate with each other.

It does this by stopping something called acetylcholine from being broken down in your brain. Acetylcholine is an important substance that allows nerves to communicate. Donepezil does not cure dementia. However, by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in your brain, donepezil can help with symptoms like:.

Find out more about how drugs like donepezil work on the Alzheimer's Society website. It usually takes at least a month for donepezil to start to work, but it can take longer for some people. Donepezil does not help everyone in the same way. Some people find it helps with their symptoms a lot. For others, it might not help at all. You will get a follow-up appointment so your doctor can check how well the medicine is working. They will also check whether you have any side effects.

If you are bothered by side effects, tell your doctor. They may be able to recommend a different medicine. You, or the person you are caring for, will have regular check-ups with a doctor to see whether donepezil is still helping. The effects may wear off a bit 6 to 12 months after you start taking it. Your symptoms may start to gradually get worse again, even if you are still taking donepezil.

The medicine is probably still helping and if you stop taking it your symptoms could become even worse. It can stop your medicine from working as well as it should. It can also make you more likely to have side effects. Drinking alcohol can also make the symptoms of dementia worse. That means two things:. Donepezil should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: As you age, your organs such as your liver and kidneys may not work as well as they did when you were younger. More of this drug may stay in your body longer, putting you at risk of increased side effects. Donepezil oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. If you take too much: If you take too much donepezil, you may have these side effects:.

But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You may be given a drug such as atropine to reverse the effects of taking too much donepezil. What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose of donepezil, skip that dose. Wait and take your next scheduled dose at its usual time. If you miss taking donepezil for seven days or more, talk with your doctor before you start taking it again. How to tell if the drug is working: Your mental function and ability to do daily tasks should improve.

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Let them dissolve on your tongue. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it. Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for the mg strength of this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

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 other 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. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Do not let anyone else take your medication.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Donepezil pronounced as doe nep' e zil. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? Aricept is thought to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine. Aricept does not treat the underlying cause of the disease, and therefore not cure or stop its progression. Aricept has been extensively studied in clinical trials for the different stages mild, moderate and severe of AD.

The ADAS-cognition ADAS-cog part measures such skills a as memory, language, and reasoning, and assigns the patient a score from based on the level of cognitive impairment. A higher score indicates that the patient has more severe symptoms, and the score usually increases each year as the disease progresses.

Aricept was approved by the U.