How to take Donepezil (Aricept)?
Ensure to read and understand the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Donepezil (Aricept). If there are any doubts ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take Donepezil (Aricept) tablet with a glass of water with or without food as per your doctor's advice. Usually it is recommended to take once a day just before bedtime. Inform your doctor about switching to a morning dose in case you are experiencing sleeping problems (insomnia).

Your dosage will be decided upon your medical condition and your response to the medication. In order to reduce the side effects your doctor may start Donepezil (Aricept) at a low dosage and gradually will increase the dosage over time. Take Donepezil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.

If you have not taken Donepezil (Aricept) for 7 days or more consecutively, talk to your doctor before resuming the treatment. You may have to restart with a lower dosage in order to lower the risk of side effects.

Always try to take Donepezil same time each day. Don't stop taking this medication unless your doctor advised you to do so. To get the full benefit from Donepezil (Aricept) it may take a several weeks.

Precautions
Prior to taking Donepezil (Aricept) inform your doctor if you have

• any allergies to Donepezil (Aricept) or other allergies
• asthma, breathing problems, chronic pulmonary disease
• seizures
• fainting
• enlarged prostate
• stomach ulcers or bleeding
• heart failure
• slow heart beat
• QT prolongation in the EKG
• family history of heart problems such as QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death

Donepezil (Aricept) may make you dizzy, confused or disoriented. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely.  Understand how this medication affects you.  Do not take any alcoholic beverages.

Donepezil may cause QT prolongation which affects the heart rhythm.

Risk of QT prolongation will be increased by low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood. This risk may increase if you are taking certain drugs such as diuretics or certain conditions like diarrhea, sweating and vomiting. Discuss with your doctor how to use Donepezil safely and effectively.

If you are having surgery prior to your surgery, inform your doctor or the dentist of all the products (prescription, non- prescription medications, herbal products, vitamin and supplements) you are taking.

If you are pregnant you must take Donepezil only if it's absolutely. Discuss with your doctor the risks and the benefits involved.

Nursing mothers must discuss with the doctor if it is safe to feed the baby while taking Donepezil.

Side Effects
Your doctor prescribed this medicine after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects. However, you may experience the following side effects during the first 3 weeks and then lessen.

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• weakness
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• insomnia
• muscle cramps
• tremors (shakiness)

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned below.

• severe abdominal pain / stomach pain
• black stools
• trouble urinating
• seizures
• vomit which looks like coffee grounds

A serious allergy reaction is extremely rare with Donepezil. In case you show the following symptoms get to the emergency clinic

• itching
• dizziness
• trouble breathing
• swelling in the face, throat, tongue, throat
• rash  - itching

Interactions
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.  Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's permission.

Some of the medications that may interact with Donepezil is

• Asprin
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen

• succinylcholine
• ketoconazole
• dimenhydrinate
• diphenhydramine
• hydroxyzine
• phenytoin
• carbamazepine
• phenobarbital
• amitriptyline
• desipramine
• doxepin
• nortriptyline
• quinidine