Generic Aricept

Common use

Aricept contains active ingredient donepezil hydrochloride which is an inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and hereby blocks disintegration of acetylcholine, which is responsible for the transfer of excitation in the central nervous system. Aricept slows progress of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.



Dosage and directions

Take it orally before nighttime. The recommended starting dose is 5 mg once daily during a month. The dose may be increased up to 10 mg a day. Do not swallow or chew the tablet whole, wait till its dissolves in your mouth. While it is dissolving you may swallow from time to time.



Precautions

Notify your doctor if you have sick sinus syndrome, an enlarged prostate, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, enlarged prostate or urination problems, asthma, ulcers in duodenum or stomach, asthma, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy. Let your doctor know if you currently take NSAIDs, other choline inhibitors, pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding.



Contraindications

Aricept cannot be used in the patients with hypersensitivity to donepezil and to derivatives of piperidine.



Possible side effect

The most frequent adverse reactions include allergy symptoms (hives, rash, facial swelling), headache, dizziness, fatigue, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds, painful or difficult urination, seizure (black-out or convulsions).



Drug interaction

Inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (ketoconazole, quinidine, itraconazole, erythromycin, fluoxetine) increase, and its inducers (rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ethanol) reduce blood concentrations Aricept. The effect of Aricept can be unpredictably increased by cholinostimulators and weakened by choline inhibitors. Risk of adverse reactions increases when Aricept is used together with drugs for general anesthesia and NSAIDs.



Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

Contact your doctor or seek immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms: severe nausea, vomiting, drooling, intensive sweating, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, sweating, blurred vision, fainting, or seizure (convulsions), myasthenia gravis, shallow breathing, muscle weakness.

Storage

Store at room temperature of 59-86 F (15-30 C) away from moisture and sunlight. Keep away from moisture (bathroom).



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)