ARICEPT

Aricept drug improves the nerve cell functions of the brain. This drug prevents the chemical breakdown of acetylcholine and is useful in case of people suffering from Dementia. People who suffer from dementia have a lower level of acetylcholine and when its breakdown is stopped, these people memorize, think and reason out better. This drug is usually useful in treating moderate to mild dementia which might be caused as a result of Alzheimer’s. Though, it should be noted that Aricept cannot be considered as a cure to Alzheimer’s.

Aricept (Donepezil HCI) 10 mg film-coated tablets

Composition of Aricept

Aricept drug contains donepezil hydrochloride as an active ingredient. This drug is usually available in the form of a crystalline white powder which is soluble in chloroform and water. This drug is available in the form of tablets which contains 5 mg, 10 mg and 23 mg of donepezil hydrochloride. The inactive ingredients in this tablet (for 5 and 10 mg tablets) include –lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, corn starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose with the film coating being made up of talc, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. For 23 mg tablets, the inactive ingredients are magnesium stearate, ethylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropyl cellulose and methacrylic acid type C co-polymer. The film coating on the tablet is made up of ferric oxide, polyethylene glycol 8000, hypromellose 2910, talc and titanium dioxide.

Uses of Aricept

Aricept tablet is used for the treatment of confusion (dementia) which is related to Alzheimer’s. Though this drug does not cure Alzheimer’s, it surely improves awareness, memory & the functional ability.

 Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) Prescribing Information

Side Effects of Aricept

The common side effects for Aricept include:

• loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea
• muscle cramps
• nausea
• unusual tiredness
• vomiting
• frequent urination
• headache
• trouble in sleeping
• Abnormal dreams
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• constipation
• fainting
• mental depression
• pain
• weight loss
• joint pain or stiffness with swelling
• unusual bruising or bleeding

The not so common side effects for Aricept include:

• Black, tarry stools
• blurred vision
• cataract
• chills
• bloating
• cloudy or bloody urine
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• pricking, burning or tingling sensations
• cough
• confusion
• decreased urination
• dryness of the mouth
• fever
• irritation of the eye
• flushing of the skin
• constant urge to urinate
• hives
• hot flashes
• low or high blood pressure
• increase in desire of having sex
• increased breathing or beating of the heart
• increased sweating
• itching
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of control over the bladder
• loss of control over the bowel
• mood swings which include abnormal crying, agitation, aggression, delusions, restlessness, irritability or nervousness
• nasal congestion
• pain in the throat, chest or upper stomach
• problems with speech
• severe thirst
• runny nose
• sneezing
• shortness of breath
• sunken eyes
• sore throat
• tightness in the chest
• tremor
• wheezing
• wrinkled skin
• troubled breathing

Contraindications of Aricept

Aricept is contraindicated in the patients suffering from hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride

Pregnancy and Aricept

Aricept is a pregnancy Category C drug. There are not enough studies carried out on this drug and hence it is not known if this drug will harm the unborn baby or not. It is the duty of the expectant mother to tell her doctor about her condition. Also it is not known if this drug passes in breast milk or not.