Daily Medication Pearl: Donepezil (Aricept)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Donepezil (Aricept)

Indication: Donepezil (Aricept) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer disease. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer disease.

Insight:

• Dosing: 5 mg or 10 mg administered once daily.
• Dosage forms: Tablets 5 mg, 10 mg, and 23 mg. Orally disintegrating tablets 5 mg and 10 mg.
• Adverse events: The most common adverse reactions in clinical studies of donepezil are nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and anorexia.
• Mechanism of action: Donepezil hydrochloride is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase.
• Manufacturer: Eisai Pharma

Sources:

• Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) Label (fda.gov)
• aricept image - Google Search