Aricept (Donepezil) belongs to a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors. Donepezil helps treating dementia in people with mild to severe Alzheimer’s disease. This medication works by increasing the level of the chemical messenger acetylcholine in the brain, which may help relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Aricept (Donepezil) helps improving the functions of nerve cells in brain to improve thinking, memory, attention, and the ability to do simple tasks in people who have Alzheimers disease.

Doctor's prescription is required to use this medicine.

Always take Aricept (Donepezil) as directed by your physician.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Aricept (Donepezil) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food, in the evening just before bedtime. Take donepezil at around the same time every day. Do not crush, chew, or break the regular tablet. Swallow it whole. Do not stop using Aricept without talking to your doctor.

Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Always take Aricept (Donepezil) exactly as directed by your doctor.

Before using Aricept (Donepezil), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or any other medications. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history. Tell your doctor about all the other prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.

To make sure Aricept is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• a history of stomach ulcers;

• an enlarged prostate or urination problems;

• liver or kidney disease;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• trouble swallowing; or

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.

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

Aricept can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome.

• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting 

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Fainting
• Mood or mental changes, including abnormal crying, aggression, agitation, delusions, irritability, nervousness, or restlessness
• Signs of muscle damage (e.g., muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, or brown or discoloured urine), especially if you also have a fever or a general feeling of being unwell

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools, spitting up of blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• Symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (e.g., muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, or joint pain accompanied by a fever or very dark urine)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose of donepezil, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss your doses for more than 7 days in a row, call your doctor before taking the medicine again.

What happens if I overdose?

In case of overdose call the Poison Help line. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services.

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

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I avoid while taking this medication?

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.