Donepezil: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Donepezil?

What is donepezil for?

Donepezil is a drug whose main function is to treat dementia symptoms in Alzheimer's patients. This tablet drug belongs to the groupenzyme blockers, which is able to restore the balance of substances that become the signal delivery in the brain.

Donepezil serves to improve brain function in Alzheimer's patients, such as memory and awareness. Even so, this drug has a different effect on each person, so that using this drug could not change the condition of Alzheimer's patients or get worse.

It should be emphasized that donepezil does not treat Alzheimer's disease, because this disease will continue to develop over time, even in people who use donepezil.

This medicine is included in prescription drugs, so you cannot buy it freely and can only get it at the pharmacy if it is accompanied by a prescription from a doctor.

How do you use donepezil?

Some things that you should know and do when using donepezil are as follows.

• Follow all instructions given by the doctor and read all instructions for using the medicine listed on the drug packaging.
• You can use donepezil both with and without food.
• Swallow the tablet whole, do not split, chew, or crush. This can increase the risk of side effects.
• Put the medicinal tablet in your mouth, let it dissolve in it without chewing it first. Swallow the medicinal solution that is in your mouth, then drink one glass of water.
• If you are going to have a surgical procedure or dental exam, tell your doctor if you are using donepezil. You may be asked to stop using this drug for a while.
• Do not stop using the drug without a doctor's recommendation.
• Generally, this medicine is taken once a day before going to bed. If you have trouble sleeping (insomnia), communicate with your doctor about changing the time you take your medication in the morning.
• You must take the drug according to the recommended dosage, according to your medical condition and the body's response to the drug.
• To reduce the risk of side effects (such as nausea and diarrhea), your doctor will give you a low dose at the start and gradually increase the dose over a period of several weeks to a month.
• Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed.
• If you have not taken donepezil for 7 days or more in a row, communicate with your doctor before starting to take this drug again. You may need to start using a lower dose of the drug to reduce the risk of side effects.
• Use this medicine regularly to get the maximum benefits. You should take this medication at the same time every day. It may take several weeks for maximum benefit from this drug.
• Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.

How do I store donepezil?

Store this drug in its container tightly closed. This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from exposure to direct light. Place this medicine away from damp places. Do not store this medication in the bathroom or store it in the freezer.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Pay attention to the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist if you are in doubt or confused. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product.

Donepezil dosage

What side effects may arise from using donepezil?

Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergy, such as: hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In addition, there are some side effects that may arise after using donepezil, including:

• weakened heart rate
• the head felt light and felt like to pass out
• very pain, nausea, vomiting
• seizures
• difficulty urinating
• breathing problems
• bloody cough, bloody or dark stools

If you experience the side effects mentioned above, please contact your doctor immediately and seek professional medical assistance.

Meanwhile, the most common side effects are as follows:

• diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches
• insomnia or sleep disorders
• easy to feel tired
• nervous easily
• depression
• it's easy to get confused
• mood swings
• hallucinations
• an absurd dream
• skin feels itchy and red

Keep in mind that the doctor prescribes this because the doctor has examined your body and health condition and assesses that the benefits you get from using this medicine will outweigh the risk of side effects.

Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you are concerned about certain side effects you will experience after using this medicine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Donepezil side effects

What should be known before using donepezil?

Some things that you should do and pay attention to before deciding to use donepezil are as follows:

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to donepezil, other piperidine medications, or any of the ingredients in donepezil. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you do not know whether you are allergic to piperidine or not. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the ingredients in this drug.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the types of drugs (prescription or non-prescription drugs), vitamins, supplements, and herbal medicines that you are currently taking or will be taking. Your doctor may need to change the dosage of your medication or monitor you carefully to avoid side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you weigh less than 120lb (55 kg) and if you have or have had bleeding in the stomach or intestines, caused by, for example: ulcers, irregular heartbeat, slow or even too fast, seizures, difficulty passing out urination, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung disease including chronic bronchitis or emphysema), or kidney disease, liver problems, or heart disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking donepezil, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Is donepezil safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, you should not use this drug if you are not aware of the benefits and risks of this medicine. Only use this medication if the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you don't know, consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. These drugs are included in pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, there are no definite studies on the risk that occurs to the baby if a breastfeeding mother takes this drug while breastfeeding However, you should still consider the benefits and potential risks that arise before taking this drug.

Donepezil Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines can interact with donepezil?

Although certain drugs should not be taken at the same time, in some cases, two different drugs can be used together even if the interaction is possible. If this happens, your doctor may change the dose, or take other precautions if necessary.

When you are taking this medicine your doctor should know if you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following is a list of drugs selected based on potential interactions that often occur and does not mean that other drugs will not react with donepezil.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be needed occasionally. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dosage or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Acrivastine
• Bupropion
• Fluoxetine
• Succinylcholine

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor will change the dose you take for the drug or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Oxybutynin
• Ramelteon
• Tolterodine

Can food or alcohol interact with donepezil?

Certain medications should not be consumed at mealtimes or when eating certain types of food because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco-derived products with certain drugs can also cause interactions. Discuss with your health care professional the use of drugs with food, alcohol, or products derived from tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with donepezil?

Any other health conditions you have could affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Suffering from asthma
• Suffering from lung disease
• Peptic ulcer
• Seizures
• Blockage of the urinary tract or difficulty urinating. Donepezil can make conditions worse
• Heart problems. Donepezil can have an unwanted effect on your heart rate
• Liver disease
• Weight under 50 kilograms. Donepezil can cause and increase the occurrence of side effects if high blood pressure.

Donepezil Drug Interactions

What medicines can interact with donepezil?

Although certain drugs should not be taken at the same time, in some cases, two different drugs can be used together even if the interaction is possible. If this happens, your doctor may change the dose, or take other precautions if necessary.

When you are taking this medicine your doctor should know if you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following is a list of drugs selected based on potential interactions that often occur and does not mean that other drugs will not react with donepezil.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be needed occasionally. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dosage or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Acrivastine
• Bupropion
• Fluoxetine
• Succinylcholine

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor will change the dose you take for the drug or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Oxybutynin
• Ramelteon
• Tolterodine

Can food or alcohol interact with donepezil?

Certain medications should not be consumed at mealtimes or when eating certain types of food because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco-derived products with certain drugs can also cause interactions. Discuss with your health care professional the use of drugs with food, alcohol, or products derived from tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with donepezil?

Any other health conditions you have could affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Suffering from asthma
• Suffering from lung disease
• Peptic ulcer
• Seizures
• Blockage of the urinary tract or difficulty urinating. Donepezil can make conditions worse
• Heart problems. Donepezil can have an unwanted effect on your heart rate
• Liver disease
• Weight under 50 kilograms. Donepezil can cause and increase the occurrence of side effects if high blood pressure.

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What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose signs may appear after using donepezil, such as:

• nausea
• gag
• the saliva kept flowing
• heart rate slows down
• difficulty breathing
• weakened muscles
• passed out
• seizures

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it turns out that when you are about to take the missed dose, it is time to tell you to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose as a double dose will not guarantee that you will experience the benefits of donepezil any sooner than not doubling it. Also, you do not know whether doubling the dose will not increase the risk of side effects from taking the drug or not.

Always consult your doctor about the dosage of drug use, because the doctor who checks your condition will know more about using the dose that is more appropriate and in accordance with your health condition.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Donepezil overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose signs may appear after using donepezil, such as:

• nausea
• gag
• the saliva kept flowing
• heart rate slows down
• difficulty breathing
• weakened muscles
• passed out
• seizures

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it turns out that when you are about to take the missed dose, it is time to tell you to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose as a double dose will not guarantee that you will experience the benefits of donepezil any sooner than not doubling it. Also, you do not know whether doubling the dose will not increase the risk of side effects from taking the drug or not.

Always consult your doctor about the dosage of drug use, because the doctor who checks your condition will know more about using the dose that is more appropriate and in accordance with your health condition.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.