|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (don
EH pa
zil) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Aricept® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (Central) |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to donepezil or any other part of the
medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's
disease.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Donepezil helps to improve the balance of a chemical in the brain. It
prevents the destruction of this
chemical.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take at bedtime with or without food. Take with food if this medicine
causes an upset stomach.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If you have stomach ulcers or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tell
healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Any rash.
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|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store at room
temperature.
|
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|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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