For what conditions or diseases is this medicine prescribed?

Treats dementia, impaired memory, judgment, abstract thought; personality changes, Alzheimer's disease or for the Other

Aricept is used to treat dementia (eg, impaired memory, judgment, and abstract thinking; personality changes) in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Aricept is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the brain, which may help reduce symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

DO NOT use Aricept if

• are allergic to any ingredient in Aricept.

Some medical conditions may interact with Aricept. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods or other substances
• if you have a history of certain heart problems (eg, slow or irregular heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome), stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcer, blockage), lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), or urinary blockage
• if you have brain injuries or tumors, increased pressure in the brain, a recent head injury, or a history of seizures (for example, epilepsy)
• if you have Parkinson's disease or metabolism problems.

Some medications may interact with Aricept. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because it may increase the risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding
• Cholinergic agents (eg, bethanechol), cholinesterase inhibitors (eg, galantamine), or ketoconazole because they may increase the risk of Aricept side effects
• Carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or rifampin because they may decrease the effectiveness of Aricept
• Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine) because their effectiveness may be decreased with Aricept.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your doctor if Aricept might interact with other medications you take. Check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Aricept may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medications. Use Aricept with caution. Don't drive or do other potentially unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose without consulting your doctor.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aricept before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Aricept is not approved for use in children; safety and efficacy in children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aricept while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aricept is found in breast milk. Aricept is not approved for use in women who may be breastfeeding.

Use Aricept as directed in the leaflet

How should this medicine be used?

Use Aricept as directed by your doctor.

• Take Aricept by mouth at night just before bedtime, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take Aricept with or without food.
• Take Aricept on a regular schedule to get the most benefit.
• Taking Aricept at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Keep taking Aricept even if you feel fine. Do not skip any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Aricept, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. Contact your doctor if you miss multiple doses of Aricept. You may need to go back to taking your medicine at a lower dose to avoid side effects.

Ask your doctor any questions you have about how to use Aricept.

What are the side effects that this medicine could cause?

How is Aricept (Donepezil) stored?

Store Aricept at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture and light. Do not store it in the bathroom. Keep Aricept out of the reach of children and away from pets.

what should I do in case of an overdose?