Donepezil Hydrochloride

Indications

Donepezil Hydrochloride is used for: Mild to moderately, severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease.

Adult Dose

Oral Mild to moderately severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease Adult: Initially, 5 mg daily at bedtime, increase if necessary up to 10 mg once daily at bedtime after 4-6 wk. Elderly: Initially, 5 mg daily at bedtime, increase if necessary up to 10 mg once daily at bedtime after 4-6 wk. Hepatic impairment: A similar dose schedule can be followed for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment as clearance of donepezil hydrochloride is not affected by these conditions.

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Renal impairment: A similar dose schedule can be followed for patients with renal impairment as clearance of donepezil hydrochloride is not affected by these conditions.

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Donepezil is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives.

Precautions

Caution when used in patients with sick sinus syndrome or cardiac conduction abnormalities. May increase secretion of gastric acid; caution when used in patients at risk of ulcer disease. Patients with COPD, asthma, history of epilepsy, bladder obstruction, prostatic hypertrophy. May cause dose-related diarrhoea, nausea and/or vomiting which usually resolves after 1-3 wk. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children. Pregnancy, lactation.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy There are no adequate data on developmental risks associated with use in pregnant women Lactation There are no data on presence of donepezil or metabolites in human milk, effects on breastfed infant, or on milk production; developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infant from drug or from underlying maternal condition

Interactions

May increase the neurotoxic effect of antipsychotics. Concurrent use with systemic corticosteroids may increase the adverse effects of donepezil. May increase the neuromuscular-blocking effect of succinylcholine. May increase the adverse effects of cholinergic agonists. May increase the bradycardic effect of beta-blockers.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Donepezil Hydrochloride : Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, wt loss, diarrhoea, insomnia, fatigue, muscle cramps; headache and dizziness; syncope, bradycardia; convulsions; increased liver transaminases; sinoatrial and atrioventricular block; hallucinations, agitation and aggressive behavior; minor increases in plasma creatine kinase; potentially bladder outflow obstruction.

Mechanism of Action

Donepezil reversibly and noncompetitively inhibits centrally-active acetylcholinesterase. It is used for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease.