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Aricept improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning.

Aricept is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Aricept may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Aricept?

Before taking Aricept, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Aricept.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Aricept?

Before taking Aricept, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats);

• a history of stomach ulcers;

• an enlarged prostate or urination problems;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Aricept.

How should I take Aricept?

Take Aricept exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Aricept. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Aricept can be taken with or without food or milk.

To take donepezil orally disintegrating tablet (Aricept ODT):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel or cut the backing from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the backing or you may damage the tablet.

• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.

• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. After the tablet dissolves completely, drink a glass of water.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, drooling, sweating, blurred vision, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Aricept?

Aricept side effects

• black, bloody, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;

• painful or difficult urination;

• seizure (black-out or convulsions);

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• loss of appetite;

• muscle cramps;

• tired feeling; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Aricept side effects in more detail

What other drugs will affect Aricept?

Before taking Aricept, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• atropine (Donnatal, and others);

• belladonna;

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• clidinium (Quarzan);

• dexamethasone (Decadron);

• dicyclomine (Bentyl);

• glycopyrrolate (Robinul);

• hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others);

• mepenzolate (Cantil);

• methantheline (Provocholine);

• methscopolamine (Pamine), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• propantheline (Pro-Banthine);

• quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater);

• a fungal antibiotic such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), or itraconazole (Sporanox); or

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Aricept. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Aricept.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Aricept only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.