How painful is it to see your mother, father, or someone very close to you gradually forget everything and become confused? Living with a condition like Alzheimer's disease is a big challenge for the patient as well as for you to take care of them. So, one of the main medications that doctors recommend to control these symptoms and make the patient's life a little easier is Donepezil. Today, we will talk briefly about this medication, its function, how to use it, and the things we need to be careful about.
Simply put, what is Donepezil?
Donepezil is a medication that is used to treat the progressive loss of memory and dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. It works by improving the patient's memory, attention, and ability to perform daily tasks independently . Imagine, maybe this medication will help your loved one stay independent for a little longer and communicate with you better.
But there is something very important that we all need to understand. This medicine is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It only controls the symptoms and slows down the progression of the disease.
That means this is not something that stops the disease, but something that helps you live with it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important for your doctor to know your (or the patient's) complete health history before prescribing this medication. This medication may not be compatible with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any questions about any of the below, be sure to tell your doctor .
- Heart disease: If you have a heart condition or problem such as an irregular heartbeat.
- Respiratory problems: If you have difficulty breathing in the lungs, such as asthma.
- Stomach ulcers: If you have had stomach ulcers or other intestinal problems, or stomach bleeding in the past.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver disease.
- Difficulty urinating: If there is any difficulty or obstruction in passing urine.
- Seizures: If you have had a seizure-like condition before.
- Head injuries: If you have had a serious head injury before.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Other Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies, not just to donepezil, but to any other medicine, food, or dye.
Giving this information to the doctor will greatly help him treat you in the safest way possible.
How should I use this medicine?
The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. This is how this medicine is usually used.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- You can take it before or after meals. It doesn't make much difference.
- This medicine is often taken daily before going to bed .
- Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the time prescribed. Do not take it more than once a day.
- Even if you feel a little better, don't stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to.
Something to pay special attention to!
Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a 23 mg Donepezil tablet.
Do not break, crush, or chew this 23 mg tablet. It should be swallowed whole.
This medicine is not usually given to young children. Therefore, keep this medicine safely out of the reach of children.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, never ignore it . Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
We all forget to take our medications. If that happens, don't worry.
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
- However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
- Do not take two doses of medication at once for any reason. This can cause side effects.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking. This is because some medicines can interact with Donepezil and reduce its effectiveness, increase its effectiveness, or cause dangerous side effects. The table below lists just a few of these medicines.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Antifungals | Medicines such as itraconazole and fluconazole. |
| Painkillers (NSAIDs) | Medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen. These can increase the risk of stomach ulcers. |
| Medications that affect heart rate | Medicines such as quinidine, dronedarone, and dofetilide. |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) | Some popular allergy pills. |
| Some medications for Parkinson's disease | Medications such as benztropine. |
| Some medications for epilepsy (Anticonvulsants) | Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin. |
This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
While using this medication, it is important to continue to see your doctor and discuss the progress of your treatment.
- This medication may make you feel dizzy, drowsy, and blue-eyed . Therefore, it is wise to avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know exactly how this medication affects your body.
- When you stand up suddenly from a sitting position or when you get out of bed, stand up slowly. This will reduce the risk of dizziness and falling.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Combining alcohol and this medication may increase side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Donepezil can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are not serious, but some require immediate medical attention.
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Slow heartbeat | Dizziness, feeling faint, confusion, difficulty breathing. |
| Stomach bleeding | Vomiting things that look like blood or coffee grounds, and passing black or tarry stools. |
| Peptic ulcer | Stomach pain, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, vomiting. |
| Seizures | Seizures. |
| Difficulty urinating | Inability or difficulty urinating. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Diarrhea, nausea. |
| Body changes | Fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches or pain. |
| Sleep problems | Insomnia or sleep disturbances. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms in addition to these, talk to your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Donepezil is a medication that controls the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but it is not a cure for the disease.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all of your or the patient's health information and any other medications you are taking .
- Never stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
- If serious side effects occur (especially allergic reactions, decreased heart rate, stomach bleeding) , seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else.
- Keep medicines safely at room temperature, out of the reach of small children .
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