donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Licensed role
Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia
Available forms
Film-coated tablets and tablets that disperse on the tongue
Food
Food does not meaningfully affect absorption
What is donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate used for?
Selected products are licensed for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia.
NHS patient information also notes use for symptoms associated with dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia and mixed dementia. These uses are outside the selected product licences and require specialist assessment.
How does donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate work?
Donepezil selectively and reversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase, slowing acetylcholine breakdown in the brain. This can ease some cognitive or functional symptoms without stopping the underlying disease process.
donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate preparations and strengths
Dispersible tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate
Follow the product label and prescriber’s instructions. Food does not meaningfully affect absorption.
Swallow film-coated tablets with water.
Place an orodispersible tablet on the tongue, allow it to break up, then swallow it with or without water.
A carer or reminder system may help support reliable administration.
donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea or nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting or abdominal discomfort
- Dizziness, tiredness or difficulty sleeping
- Muscle cramps
- Reduced appetite
- Abnormal dreams or nightmares
Get urgent medical advice
- Fainting, a very slow heartbeat or an abnormal heart rhythm
- Seizure
- Stomach or intestinal ulcer or bleeding
- Liver dysfunction, including hepatitis
- Severe muscle injury, particularly with weakness or dark urine
- High temperature with muscle rigidity, confusion or altered consciousness
- Serious allergic reaction
donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate in pregnancy
Information about use in human pregnancy is limited. NHS advice says donepezil is not recommended during pregnancy, while selected product information says it should be used only when clearly necessary. Discuss pregnancy or plans for pregnancy with the prescriber; do not stop treatment without advice.
donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether donepezil enters human milk, and evidence about effects on a breastfed infant is lacking. Selected product information advises against breastfeeding during treatment; discuss individual circumstances with the prescriber.
donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products because interactions can affect efficacy, heart rhythm, bleeding risk or adverse effects.
Anticholinergic medicines
May oppose donepezil’s cholinergic effects and reduce treatment benefit.
Other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or cholinergic agonists
May cause additive cholinergic adverse effects and should generally be avoided together.
Beta blockers and other medicines that slow cardiac conduction
May increase the risk of bradycardia, heart block or fainting.
Common questions about donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is donepezil hydrochloride monohydrate used for?
Selected products are licensed to treat symptoms of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia.
Does donepezil cure Alzheimer’s disease?
No. It may ease some symptoms, but has not been shown to stop the underlying disease process.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.