Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt Ltd
Donepezil (10mg)
Aricep 10 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 Aricep 10 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. Aricep 10 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. Aricep 10 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 Aricep 10 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 Aricep 10 Tablet and Alzheimer's disease can cause weight loss. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how Aricep 10 Tablet affects you. Be cautious while taking this medicine if you suffer from peptic ulcer as it may cause vomiting, stomach bleeding, stomach pain, or discomfort.
Aricep 10 Tablet is recommended to be taken before going to bed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects or nausea, which is commonly seen in some patients in the first few weeks of treatment.
Gastrointestinal side effects may appear during the first few weeks of treatment with Aricep 10 Tablet. This can be minimized by taking Aricep 10 Tablet at bedtime and with food. Generally, these side effects are mild and disappear within a few weeks with continued treatment.
Within the first month of treatment with Aricep 10 Tablet, you may experience improvement in thinking and remembering (cognitive effect). However, it may take about 12 weeks to see the full benefits.
Do not stop Aricep 10 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 straight away. But, in case your condition starts worsening and you feel that it is no longer helping you, then you should consult a doctor before stopping it.
Aricep 10 Tablet gets removed from the body very slowly. It takes about two weeks or more for Aricep 10 Tablet to be completely removed from the system.
No, Aricep 10 Tablet does not cause depression. If you are experiencing symptoms, then it could be due to existing Alzheimer's disease.
Taking more than the recommended dose of Aricep 10 Tablet may cause vomiting, increased sweating or saliva production, slow heartbeat, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, seizures or 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.
Aricep 10 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 Aricep 10 Tablet, though not everyone is affected. Other common psychiatric side effects include agitation, aggressive behavior, nightmares, and abnormal dreams.
Aricep 10 Tablet should not be taken by patients who have hypersensitivity to Aricep 10 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 Aricep 10 Tablet. Dizziness and fainting can also be seen as common side effects. Though these side effects are common, they do not occur in everyone.