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What is the Medication Aricept Used For?

Aricept

Aricept, whose generic name is donepezil, is an oral medication primarily used for the treatment of dementia from Alzheimer's disease.  Some studies indicate that Aricept can be effective at all stages of the disease, and that the drug is the No. 1 prescribed medication for Alzheimer's.

Since dementia remains incurable and there are no treatments as yet, your health care professional should be consulted for more information about Aricept or any medication used in the treatment of dementia.

Donepezil, part of a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1996.  Other well known cholinesterase inhibitor drugs in the same class as Aricept are Exelong and Razadyne.

Studies have show that Aricept may:

• slow the progression of symptoms

• improve cognition, which may help memory

• slow the loss of overall function

• may help with behavioral problems

How it Works

Alzheimer's patients lose nerve cells and vital chemicals, called neurotransmitters, in the parts of the brain that are critical for memory and other mental processes.  Acetylcholine, one of these chemicals, helps send messages from one nerve cell to another in the brain.  Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease impacts the acetylcholine chemicals causing loss of brain function.

This disruption is blamed for impairing thinking and memory.  Scientists believe that Aricept may help reduce the breakdown of acetylcholine, so that more of this crucial chemical stays in the brain.  That increased concentration of acetycholine is credited with causing the improvements that occur during treatment with Aricept.

Aricept can be typically prescribed for mild to moderate dementia from Alzheimer's disease, which might help with behavioral problems.  While it may lessen the symptoms, it does not slow down the progression of the disease.

Aricept can be prescribed in a 5 mg dose, with Alzheimer's disease patients; sometimes increasing to 10 mg after four to six weeks.

The medication is taken once a day, typically at night prior to sleeping.  It comes in regular tablets, which dissolve on the tongue.  Aricept may be taken with or without food, since its absorption is not affected by whether or not someone has eaten recently.

Possible Side Effects

Here is a list of some of the side effects from Aricept:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Insomnia

• Muscle cramps

• Loss of appetite

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Weight Loss

If Aricept is prescribed, your health professional will ask you to observe for side effects to ensure that the potential benefits are not outweighed by the side effects.

Drug Interactions

Drugs such as Cogentin and Artane have properties that can neutralize the effects of Aricept and should not be taken at the same time.

In addition, the enzymes in the liver that metabolize Aricept can be blocked by a drug like Nizora.  So the use of both medications at the same time can cause increased concentrations of Aricept in the body, triggering negative side effects.

Aricept Versus Cognex

Cognex, which like Aricept may be used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is suspected of potentially causing liver toxicity.  That issue has not been raised about Aricept.

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