Drug class
"Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor" - donepezil is believed to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function through "reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase," increasing acetylcholine concentrations in the brain.
Uses
ARICEPT (donepezil hydrochloride) "is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease."
Warnings
Contraindicated in patients with "known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives." Key warnings: as a cholinesterase inhibitor, it is "likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia"; may have "vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes manifesting as bradycardia or heart block"; "ARICEPT can cause vomiting," with an associated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly at higher doses; weight loss has been reported with the 23 mg dose; potential to cause seizures in susceptible patients.
Side effects
The "most common adverse reactions in clinical studies of ARICEPT are nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and anorexia."
