Aricept prescribing information |
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Full prescription information or package insert for Aricept
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Aricept description
Aricept belongs to the group of medicines called acetylcholinesterase and it contains denepezil hydrochloride as an active ingredient. It is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and it works by reducing the rate at which acetycholine is broken down in the brain.
About Aricept
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have been shown to have a lower amount of acetylcholine in their brain than the normal levels. This occurs as a result of degeneration of the acetylcholine-releasing brain cells. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter (compounds that are responsible for sending messages between nerve cells) that is stored in the nervous system and in the brain and it is essential for mental health. Another neural chemical known as acetylcholinesterase is responsible for the breakdown of the acetylcholine which is released by the nerve cells continuously. The active ingredient in Aricept prevents acetylcholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine and in doing do increases acetylcholine levels in the brain. This helps to increase the level of acetylcholine in the brain and this helps in the treatment of dementia in Alzheimer patients albeit not a cure.
How to take
Aricept does not cure dementia however it can prevent it’s deterioration. Proper assessment of the patients is required while on the medication as this will enable the doctor to decide whether or not the patient should continue taking the drug. Should the patient show now improvement the doctor will recommend stopping the treatment and continued reassessment is required as the patient continues to stop; patients are taken off the medication once its benefit is no longer evident.
Contraindication
Aricept should not be prescribed for those who have previously shown an allergic reaction to Aricept, or any antihistamines such as Allegra, Periactin, and Atarax.
Possible Side Effects
If at all side effects occur they are often mild and ease further into the treatment. However if any should occur or become more sever, inform your doctor who will then decide best suited measure for individual case. Side effects that MAY occur include: loss of appetite diarrhoea, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps.
Special Warning about Aricept
Aricept should only be used to treat dementia in Alzheimer’s patients as it effectiveness in treating other forms of dementia is yet to be established. Patients on this medication require regular monitoring to ensure compliance and this drug should only be prescribed if such is available. Patients should avoid any dangerous tasks while taking Aricept as it is likely to cause, dizziness, fatigue and muscle cramps especially in the earlier treatment stage.
Drug Interaction
The tendency to show side effects may be increased if this drug is taken with other medicines which boost acetycholine activity such as pilocarpine, galantamine, rivastigmine, bethanechol chloride, distigmine, pyridostigmine bromide and edrophonium. These and other drugs may affect the effectiveness of Aricept therefore before taking any drug while on Aricept medication you should seek your doctor’s advice.
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
This medicine is yet to be tested on pregnant women however it is likely to produce some yet unknown effect. This drug can also get into the breast milk therefore both pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not be prescribed Aricept.
Aricept notes:
Approved by the FDA in 1996, Aricept with the generic name donepezil is an oral medication used for treating Alzheimer's disease. Belonging to a class of drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors, aricept treats Alzheimer's disease that is believed to be caused due to deficiency in chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by nerves in the brain for communication with one another. Aracept inhibits an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase that causes destruction of one neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. As a result increased concentrations of acetylcholine occur in the brain that helps in the improvement for the treatment using donepezil. Donezepil also known as donepezil hydrochloride reduces the symptoms but not the reduction of progression of Alzheimer's disease.
As part of the treatment in Alzheimer's disease, aricept drug causes physical changes in the brain that interrupts the flow of information and obstructs with memory, behavior and thinking. This medication can improve brain function temporarily in some Alzheimer's sufferers, but cannot stop the progression of the underlying disease. aricept dosage has to be taken regularly to maintain any improvement. The benefits of the drugs will be stopped as soon as it is stopped to be taken. Up to 3 weeks time is required for any positive effects of the drug to appear. Aricept or donepezil hydrochloride has to be taken once a day before bedtime every day with or without food. You can also avail of the benefits of aricept patient assistance program.
Aricept side effects include insomnia, diarrhea, loss of appetite, arthritis, nausea, muscle cramps, abnormal dreams, bruising, vomiting and fatigue. Aricept medication should not be prescribed along with drug under a group of antihistamines like Allegra, Atarax, Claritin, Periactin, and Optimine.
Full prescription information or package insert for Aricept
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Anti-Alzheimer's, Anti-Dementia Agents
 Aricept prescribing information
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