WHAT IS Aricept/Donepezil TABLETS?

DONEPEZIL/Aricept 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.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Aricept/Donepezil?

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.

HOW SHOULD I USE Aricept/Donepezil?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You may take this medicine with or without food. Take this medicine at regular intervals. This medicine is usually taken before bedtime. Do not take it 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.

Contact your health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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 SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Aricept/Donepezil?

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 MAY INTERACT WITH Aricept/Donepezil?

• phenobarbital
• medicines for motion sickness
• itraconazole/Sporanox or ketoconazole/Nizoral
• ipratropium/Atrovent
• benztropine
• rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine
• bethanechol
• hyoscyamine
• oxybutynin/Ditropan xl
• quinidine
• dicyclomine
• carbamazepine/Tegretol
• dexamethasone/Decadron
• atropine
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen/Motrin or naproxen/Aleve
• trihexyphenidyl/Artane
• phenytoin/Dilantin er
• glycopyrrolate
• other medicines for Alzheimer's disease

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers 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 SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Aricept/Donepezil?

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

• slow heartbeat, or palpitations
• vomiting
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• weight loss
• problems with balance
• unusual bleeding or bruising, red or purple spots on the skin
• stomach pain
• changes in vision
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

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
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• indigestion or heartburn
• headache
• muscle cramps

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Aricept/Donepezil?

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

• difficulty passing urine
• heart disease, slow heartbeat
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to donepezil/Aricept , other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• seizures (convulsions)
• stomach or intestinal disease, ulcers or stomach bleeding
• asthma or other lung disease
• Parkinson's disease
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• head injury
• breast-feeding

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.