Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Donepezil (5mg)
Alzepil 5mg Tablet is used to treat mild to moderate dementia in Alzheimer's disease, a progressive illness that gradually affects memory and thinking.
Tablet
Your doctor will explain how to take Alzepil 5mg Tablet. You may take it with food, preferably at night before going to bed. Follow the instructions carefully to get the most benefit. The dose may change from time to time to suit your individual needs. It can take up to a few weeks for symptoms to improve so keep taking your medicine regularly. You should not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Alzepil 5mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Memory loss in Alzheimer's disease occurs due to disturbances of signal transmission in the brain. Alzepil 5mg Tablet is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the levels of a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) involved in transmission of nerve signals. This improves memory and thinking.
You have been prescribed Alzepil 5mg Tablet to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease but may help improve brain function and ability to do daily activities. Take it with or without food, preferably at night before going to bed. Monitor your body weight regularly as both Alzepil 5mg Tablet and Alzheimer's disease can cause weight loss. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how Alzepil 5mg Tablet affects you.
Alzepil 5mg Tablet is recommended to be taken before going to bed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects or nausea, which can occur in some patients during the initial weeks of treatment.
Gastrointestinal side effects may appear during the first few weeks of treatment with Alzepil 5mg Tablet. These can be minimized by taking Alzepil 5mg Tablet at bedtime and with food. Generally, these side effects are mild and resolve within a few weeks with continued treatment.
Within the first month of treatment with Alzepil 5mg Tablet, you may experience improvements in thinking and remembering (cognitive effects). However, full benefits may take approximately twelve weeks to appear.
Do not stop Alzepil 5mg Tablet without consulting your doctor. This medicine only helps to control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, it may take several weeks to show benefits, so do not be discouraged if you do not see an improvement immediately. However, in case your condition starts worsening or if it no longer appears to be helping, then you should consult a doctor before stopping it.
Alzepil 5mg Tablet is eliminated from the body slowly. It takes about two weeks or more for Alzepil 5mg Tablet to be completely removed from the system.
No, Alzepil 5mg Tablet does not cause depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it could be due to existing Alzheimer’s disease.
Taking more than the recommended dose of Alzepil 5mg Tablet may cause vomiting, increased sweating or saliva production, slow heartbeat, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, seizures, fits, weakness, low blood pressure, convulsions, and inability to control your bowel motions or passing of urine (incontinence). You should seek immediate help from a doctor or emergency service of a nearby hospital.
Alzepil 5mg Tablet does not interfere with the working of indomethacin, but indomethacin individually increases the risk of stomach bleeding when taken for a long time. Therefore, if you experience any symptoms of stomach bleeding, consult your doctor immediately.
Hallucinations are a common side effect of Alzepil 5mg Tablet, although not everyone is affected. Other common psychiatric side effects include agitation, aggressive behavior, nightmares, and abnormal dreams.
Alzepil 5mg Tablet should not be taken by patients who have hypersensitivity to Alzepil 5mg Tablet hydrochloride, piperidine derivatives, or to any active ingredients used in the medicine. Also, it should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
Yes, insomnia (sleeplessness) is a common side effect of Alzepil 5mg Tablet. Dizziness and fainting can also occur as common side effects. Though these side effects are common, they do not occur in everyone.