donepezil hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Licensed use
Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia
Available forms
Film-coated tablets, tablets that disperse in the mouth, and oral solution
Food
May be taken with or without food
What is donepezil hydrochloride used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia. NHS information also describes specialist use in some other dementias, which is not represented by the selected product licences.
Licensed: mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia.
Not licensed in the selected product information: some cases of dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia or mixed dementia.
How does donepezil hydrochloride work?
Donepezil reversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the brain. This can improve communication between nerve cells and lessen some cognitive and functional symptoms without altering the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
donepezil hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Dispersible tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg/1 mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
How to take donepezil hydrochloride
Follow the dispensing label and product instructions. Donepezil may be taken with or without food.
Swallow film-coated tablets with water.
Place an orodispersible tablet on the tongue, allow it to disperse, then swallow with or without water.
Measure oral solution with the supplied measuring device rather than a kitchen teaspoon.
donepezil hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Insomnia, abnormal dreams or nightmares
- Reduced appetite or abdominal discomfort
Get urgent medical advice
- Seizure
- Fainting, marked slowing of the heartbeat or a fast irregular heartbeat
- Black stools, vomiting blood or symptoms of a stomach or intestinal ulcer
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools
- Severe muscle pain or weakness, especially with dark urine
- High temperature with muscle stiffness, sweating and confusion
- Severe allergic reaction
donepezil hydrochloride in pregnancy
Information during pregnancy is limited. Donepezil is not usually recommended and should be used only when clearly necessary. Speak to the prescriber if pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant.
donepezil hydrochloride while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether donepezil enters human breast milk, and effects on a breastfed infant have not been studied. Breastfeeding is therefore not usually recommended while taking it; discuss individual circumstances with the prescriber.
donepezil hydrochloride interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products because interactions may affect donepezil exposure, heart rhythm, bleeding risk or cholinergic effects.
Beta blockers and other medicines that slow cardiac conduction
Combined effects may increase the risk of a slow heartbeat, heart block or fainting.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
Examples include amiodarone, sotalol, citalopram, escitalopram and some macrolide or fluoroquinolone antibiotics; combined use may increase serious arrhythmia risk and sometimes warrants ECG monitoring.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
May increase the risk of stomach or intestinal ulceration and bleeding.
Common questions about donepezil hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does donepezil hydrochloride stop Alzheimer’s disease getting worse?
No. It can reduce some symptoms, but it has not been shown to alter the underlying disease process.
How quickly does donepezil hydrochloride work?
Benefits are not usually immediate and response varies. Follow-up assesses changes in cognition, daily functioning and adverse effects.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.