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|Articles|March 25, 2022
Daily Medication Pearl: Donepezil (Aricept)
Author(s)Saro Arakelians, PharmD
Donepezil (Aricept) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer disease.
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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:
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