What is this medication?

DONEPEZIL (doe NEP e zil) is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Aricept

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•asthma or other lung disease

•difficulty passing urine

•head injury

•heart disease

•history of irregular heartbeat

•liver disease

•seizures (convulsions)

•stomach or intestinal disease, ulcers or stomach bleeding

•an unusual or allergic reaction to donepezil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. You may take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals, usually before bedtime. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Continue to take your medicine even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

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

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose, do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• certain medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole
• cisapride
• dextromethorphan; quinidine
• dronedarone
• pimozide
• quinidine
• thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
• atropine
• bethanechol
• carbamazepine
• certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl
• certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
• dexamethasone
• dofetilide
• ipratropium
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• other medicines for Alzheimer's disease
• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine
• ziprasidone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check with your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• loss of bladder control
• seizures
• signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; breathing problems
• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine
• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
• slow heartbeat or palpitations
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea, especially when starting treatment
• headache
• loss of appetite
• muscle cramps
• nausea
• stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.