Aricept (generic name: Donepezil) is a centrally acting reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

Aricept is indicated for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease, also called dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Aricept is the #1 prescribed Alzheimer's medication and the only treatment proven effective for all stages of Alzheimer's.

Studies showed that Aricept slows the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms:

It improves cognition, which may include effects on memory.
It slows the loss of overall function, which may include effects on everyday tasks.

Aricept also helped most with things like:
Using the phone
Handling mail
Doing household chores
Getting dressed
Eating meals
Managing money without help

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

Aricept is not addictive.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Aricept exactly as directed.

The usual starting dose for Aricept is one 5 mg tablet each day. After 1 month, your doctor will assess your response and may increase your dose to one 10 mg tablet a day. However, depending on your condition and how you react to the medicine, your doctor may ask you to take some other dose.

Take Aricept by mouth in the evening right before bed, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Aricept can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.

Take Aricept on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. It may take up to several months to start seeing the benefits of Aricept. Some people may experience an improvement in symptoms for several months, and then begin to see a decline. This is normal. It means that Aricept is working but the disease continues to progress.

Continue to take Aricept even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

If you forget to take Aricept, just take one tablet the following day at the usual time, then continue as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. If you forget to take it for more than 1 week, call your doctor before taking any more.

Keep Aricept at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Precautions

Before taking Aricept, tell your doctor if:

you are allergic to any medicines;
you have stomach ulcer, chronic bronchitis or emphysema;
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: donepezil.