Brand Name

Aricept {Pfizer/Eisai}

Generic Name

donepezil, pronounced doe NEP e zil

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Aricept?

Aricept is a medication used to treat patients with mild or moderate dementia caused byAlzheimer’s disease. Aricept helps to improve the function of the nerve cells in the brain bypreventing the breakdown of a chemical that is called acetylcholine. Many patients with dementiaand Alzheimer’s disease are found to have low levels of acetylcholine, which is believed to causeproblems with their memory processes, thinking and reasoning.

Aricept may also be used for conditions that are not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Aricept

Aricept is in FDA pregnancy category C. Aricept should not be taken if you are pregnant, as itis known to be harmful to an unborn baby. You should not use Aricept without telling your doctorif you are breast-feeding a baby, as Aricept passes into breast milk.

Aricept may impair your thinking and reaction time. Be careful when driving or doing anythingthat requires you to be alert.

Before You Take Aricept

You should not use Aricept if you are allergic to donepezil.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other drugs.

Let your doctor know if you have a history of stomach ulcers, epilepsy or a seizure disorderbefore taking Aricept.

If you have a heart rhythm disorder, like “sick sinus syndrome” you should tell yourdoctor.

Tell your doctor if you have an enlarged prostate or urination problems.

Before beginning treatment with Aricept tell your doctor if you have asthma or chronicobstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.

Aricept Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antifungal antibiotics like ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan) and itraconazole(Sporanox)
• atropine (Donnatal)
• belladonna
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• clidinium (Quarzan)
• dexamethasone (Decadron)
• dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
• hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin)
• mepenzolate (Cantil)
• methantheline (Provocholine)
• methscopolamine (Pamine), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen(Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia,Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin) and meloxicam(Mobic)
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
• quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Aricept. You should tell yourdoctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins,supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking anew medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Aricept

You should take Aricept exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use Aricept in larger orsmaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on yourprescription label exactly.

You can take Aricept with or without food.

Take Aricept with a full glass of water.

If you are having a surgical procedure be sure to tell any doctor that treats you that youare taking Aricept. You may need to stop taking Aricept for a short period of time. Your doctorwill let you know when you can take Aricept again.

Aricept is typically taken at bedtime.

If you are taking Aricept ODT, or the orally disintegrating tablets, you should keep thetablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Be sure that you properly open thepackage and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. If you push a tablet through the foil youmay damage the tablet. Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It willbegin dissolving immediately .

You should store Aricept at room temperature, and away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose of Aricept you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dosein addition to your regular dose.

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Aricept Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Aricept and seekmedical help immediately:

• allergic reaction that includes breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips,throat or tongue
• black, bloody or tarry stools
• coughing up blood or vomit, which looks like coffee grinds
• seizures or convulsions
• urination that is painful or difficult

Less serious side effects may include:

• appetite loss
• diarrhea
• muscle cramps
• nausea
• sleep problems, like insomnia
• tiredness
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Aricept. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Aricept Description and Dosing

Aricept is available in tablet form in dosages of 5 mg, 10 mg and 23 mg. Orally DisintegratingTablets (ODT) are available in 5 mg and 10 mg doses.

Tablets in 5 mg , 10 mg and 23 mg are supplied as round, film-coated, extended-release,matrix-type tablets

The 5 mg tablets are white. The strength (5 mg) is debossed on one side

and ARICEPT is debossed on the other side of the tablet.

The 10 mg tablets are yellow. The strength (10 mg) is debossed on one side and ARICEPT isdebossed on the other side of the tablet.

The 23 mg tablets are reddish in color. The strength (23 mg) is debossed on one side and”Aricept” is debossed on the other side of the tablet.

ARICEPT ODT is supplied as round tablets containing either 5 mg or 10 mg of donepezilhydrochloride.

The 5 mg orally disintegrating tablets are white. The strength (5 mg) is debossed on one sideand ARICEPT is debossed on the other side.

The 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets are yellow. The strength (10 mg) is debossed on one side and ARICEPT is debossed on the other side

If you suspect that you have overdosed with the Aricept you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Aricept

The main ingredient in Aricept is donepezil. Inactiveingredients in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets are lactose monohydrate, corn starch, microcrystallinecellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains talc,polyethylene glycol, hypromellose and titanium dioxide. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet containsyellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.

Inactive ingredients in the 23 mg tablets include ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose,lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and methacrylic acid copolymer, Type C. The film coatingincludes ferric oxide, hypromellose 2910, polyethylene glycol 8000, talc and titaniumdioxide.

Inactive ingredients in Aricept ODT tablets, both 5 mg and 10 mg doses are arrageenan,mannitol, colloidal silicon dioxide and polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, the 10 mg tabletcontains ferric oxide (yellow) as a coloring agent.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.