Donepezil
Donepezil may provide modest symptomatic benefit for some people with Alzheimer’s disease. It does not cure dementia or stop the underlying disease from progressing.
Key points
- Benefit should be reviewed using function, cognition, behaviour and caregiver observations.
- Slow heart rate, fainting, weight loss, ulcer risk and interacting medicines require monitoring.
- Fainting, a seizure, vomiting blood or black stools needs urgent care.
Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.
How it works
Donepezil inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine signalling involved in memory and cognition.
Important safety checks
Heart conduction problems, fainting, asthma, seizures, ulcer or bleeding history, low body weight and anticholinergic or rate-slowing medicines require review. Nausea, diarrhoea, vivid dreams and appetite loss may affect continued suitability.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for fainting, a seizure, a very slow or irregular heartbeat with weakness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe breathing difficulty or facial swelling.