Aricept generic

An oral medication, Aricept (generic name: donepezil) is used to treat Alzheimer's disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes tacrine (Cognex). Scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease may result from a lack of chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by nerves in the brain to converse with one another. Donepezil slows down an enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, which is responsible for the demolition of one neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. This directs to increased concentrations of acetylcholine in the brain. These increased concentrations are supposed to be accountable for the progress seen throughout treatment with donepezil. The medicine improves the symptoms but does not delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The drug was approved by the FDA in 1996.

Medications and Prescriptions
Generic name: Donepezil

Product Brand Name: Aricept ®

1. Why is this drug prescribed? Aricept is one of the few drugs that can make available some release from the signs of premature Alzheimer's disease. (Exelon, Cognex, and Reminyl are others.) Alzheimer's disease causes physical changes in the brain that disturb the flow of information and impede with thinking, memory, and behavior. The medication can provisionally get better the function of brain in some Alzheimer's sufferers, even though it does not stop the development of the causal disease.

2. Most important fact about this drug: Aricept must be taken on a regular basis to uphold any progress. Its benefits will soon be lost if the drug is stopped. Patience is in order when starting the drug. It can take up to 3 weeks for any positive effects to appear.

3. How should you take this medication? Aricept should be taken one time a day just before bedtime. Be sure it's taken all day. It won't work if the medicine is not taken regularly. It can be taken with or without food.
If you miss a dose, make it up immediately you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one that was missed and go back to the regular plan. By no means double the dose.

Storage instructions – Store the medicine at room temperature.

4. What side effects may occur? Side effects of Aricept cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell the doctor as soon as possible. Only the doctor can determine if it is safe to continue the drug. Side effects are more possible with higher doses. The most common are fatigue, diarrhea, insomnia, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea. When one of these effects takes place, usually it is mild and gets better as treatment continues.

Other side effects may include abnormal dreams, bruising, arthritis, depression, fainting, dizziness, frequent urination, pain, headache, sleepiness, weight loss.
5. Why should this drug not be prescribed? Two reasons are there to steer clear of Aricept: an allergic reaction to the drug itself, or an allergy to the group of antihistamines that includes Allegra, Claritin, Atarax, Optimine, and Periactin.

6. Special warnings about this medication: The medication can make worse asthma and other breathing problems, as well as can amplify the possibility of seizures. It can also reason heartbeat irregularities, slow the heartbeat, and lead to fainting episodes. If any of these problems occur, contact your general practitioner. Aricept can make stomach side effects worse in patients who have had stomach ulcers, and those who take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Nuprin, Advil, or Aleve. Beware when using Aricept and report all side effects to your doctor.
7. Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication: The drug will raise the effects of certain anesthetics. Ensure the doctor is aware of Aricept therapy before any surgery. If the medicine is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is particularly essential to seek advice from your doctor prior to combining Aricept with the following:

Bethanechol chloride (Urecholine)

Antispasmodic drugs such as Bentyl, Cogentin, and Pro-Banthine

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

Dexamethasone (Decadron)

Phenobarbital

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate)

Quinidine (Quinidex)
8. Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding: Aricept is not intended for women of child-bearing age. Its effects during pregnancy have not been studied and it is not known whether it appears in breast milk
9. Recommended dosage
For adults, the usual starting dose is 5 milligrams once a day at bedtime for no less than 4 to 6 weeks. Do not increase the dose throughout this period unless directed. The doctor may then change the dosage to 10 milligrams once a day if response to the drug warrants it.

The safety and effectiveness of Aricept have not been established in children.
10. Over dosage: Any medication taken in surplus can have grave consequences. Seek medical attention instantly if you suspect an overdose.
Symptoms of Aricept overdose include: collapse, extreme muscle weakness (possibly ending in death if breathing muscles are affected), convulsions, low blood pressure, salivation, nausea, slowed heart rate, vomiting, sweating.
Caution! Before starting to take this medicine, it is crucial that you should seek advice from your doctor! Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.



Aricept
Approved by the FDA in 1996, Aricept, with the generic name donepezil, is an oral medication used in 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 by reason of absence in chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by brain nerves for communication with one another. The medication inhibits an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase causing damage of one neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Consequently increased concentrations of acetylcholine take place in the brain that helps in the progress for the treatment using donepezil. Arisept reduces the symptoms but not the lessening of progression of Alzheimer's disease.
As part of the treatment in Alzheimer's disease, aricept causes physical changes in the brain interrupting the flow of information and obstructs with behavior, memory and thinking. This drug can advance the function of brain momentarily in some Alzheimer's sufferers, but cannot prevent the progression of the primary disease. Aricept dosage has to be taken frequently to maintain any improvement. The benefits of the drugs will be stopped as soon as it is stopped to be taken. While taking it, extreme patience is required. Up to 3 weeks time is necessary for any positive effects of the drug to appear. Aricept or donepezil hydrochloride has to be taken once a day ahead of bedtime every day with or without food.
Higher doses of aricept cause some side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite, diarrhea, arthritis, muscle cramps, nausea, abnormal dreams, vomiting, bruising and fatigue. This remedy should not be prescribed along with drug under a group of antihistamines like Atarax, Allegra, Claritin, Optimine, and Periactin.