Why is this medication prescribed?
Donepezil is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is associated with low levels of a chemical called acetylcholine in your brain. Donepezil is used to improve thinking and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease may result from a deficiency in chemicals (neurotransmitters)used by nerves in the brain to communicate with one another. Donepezil inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for the destruction of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. This leads to increased concentrations of acetylcholine in the brain, and the increased concentrations are believed to be responsible for the improvement seen during treatment with donepezil.
Donepezil improves memory, awareness, and the ability to function, but does not slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Donepezil is marketed under the trade name AriceptŪ (Eisai).
Dosage and using this medicine
What special precautions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?