Donepezil (Systemic)

Brand Names : Aricept, E2020

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For donepezil, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to donepezil, or to biperiden (e.g., Akineton), bupivacaine (e.g., Marcaine), methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin), paroxetine (e.g., Paxil), rifabutin (e.g., Mycobutin), or trihexyphenidyl (e.g., Artane). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that donepezil may cause unwanted effects on the offspring when the mother is given doses many times higher than the human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether donepezil passes into breast milk. Because of the possibility of serious unwanted effects in the nursing infant, it is important that you discuss the use of this medicine with your doctor if you wish to breast-feed.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of donepezil in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - In studies done to date that have included older adults, some side effects of donepezil have been shown to occur more frequently in older people than in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking donepezil, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of donepezil. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma or
• Lung disease or
• Peptic ulcers, or history of or
• Seizures, or history of or
• Urinary tract blockage - Donepezil may make these conditions worse

• Heart problems - Donepezil may have unwanted effects on heart rate

• Liver problems - Higher blood levels of donepezil may result and increase the chance of side effects