Why is this drug prescribed?

Aricept tablets and Aricept Evess tablets both contain the active ingredient donepezil hydrochloride, which is a type of drug called an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It works by slowing the breakdown of a compound in the brain called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a natural compound known as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are stored in nerve cells in the brain and nervous system, and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Acetylcholine in the brain is continually being released by nerve cells, and then broken down by another natural chemical called acetylcholinesterase. One of the features of Alzheimer's disease appears to be a lower than normal level of acetylcholine in the brain. This is due in part to degeneration of brain cells, in particular those that normally release acetylcholine. Donepezil increases the level of acetylcholine in the brain. It does this by preventing the action of acetylcholinesterase, the compound that normally breaks it down. This slows the breakdown of acetylcholine that is released from remaining undamaged nerve cells in the brain. The result of this is increased activity of acetylcholine in the brain. This improves the cognitive processes of thinking, learning and memory, and improves the symptoms of dementia and daily functioning in Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil is used to treat mild to moderately severe dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. However, it only slows the worsening of the dementia, rather than being a cure. As a result, your doctor will want to re-assess the patient after they have been taking the drug for two to four months at the maintenance dose. If there has been no improvement in their symptoms, or they continue to deteriorate, your doctor may decide it is not worth continuing the drug. For patients who continue treatment, the benefit of the drug should be reassessed on a regular basis. The drug should be stopped when it is considered that it is no longer providing a beneficial effect. Aricept tablets are standard tablets. Aricept Evess tablets are known as 'orodispersible tablets'. They are designed to disintegrate on the tongue in the saliva and then be swallowed either with or without a drink, as the patient prefers. These tablets may be useful for people who don't like to take or can't swallow standard tablets. Both types of tablet should be taken once a day, in the evening before going to bed.

Treatments

* Mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Nausea and vomiting. * Loss of appetite. * Diarrhoea. * Fatigue. * Difficulty in sleeping. * Headache. * Dizziness. * Fainting. * Hallucinations. * Agitation. * Aggressive behaviour. * Muscle cramps. * Urinary incontinence. * Rash or itching. * Ulceration or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. * Slow heart rate. * Seizure. * Liver disorders, eg hepatitis. * Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity.