Aricept

A progressive condition of the human brain known as Alzheimer’s disease or AD is characterized by memory impairment and the disorder of another aspect of thinking, such as view of reality. Contrary to popular belief, Alzheimer’s disease does not come with aging and does not inevitably occur during the later part of a person’s life. Instead, it is a brain disease which leads to the loss of both physical and mental functions.

Fortunately, there is a drug that can be used to address the all phases of the disease. Aricept is a brand name of a drug under the generic name donepezil. This belongs to a drug class known as cholinesterase inhibitors. Aricept is taken to offer relief from the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease such as dementia.

Scientists say that the disease may be brought about by brain chemical deficiency. Such chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are essential when the nerves found in the brain are communicating with each other. Aricept works to hold back the enzyme that causes the destruction of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. But while Aricept alleviates the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, it does not work to slow down its progress.

The medication is available in two forms: Aricept 5mg and Aricept 10 mg tablets, and Aricept ODT or orally disintegrating tablets in 5 mg and 10 mg. Patients should refrain from taking this medication, unless prescribed by the doctor, if they are allergic to certain drugs, such as belladonna, atropine, clinidium, glycopyrrolate, carbamazepine, hyoscyamine, methantheline, dexamethasone, propantheline, methscopolamine, dicyclomine, mepenzolate, rifampin, aspirin and other NSAIDs, phenytoin, fungal antibiotic like ketoconazole, phenobarbital, and quinidine. Your doctor may not recommend the use of Aricept medicine along with these drugs, or may do dosage adjustments and/or special tests. Other drugs may also affect the efficiency of Aricept. Hence, the doctor should know about all the over-the-counter and prescription drugs, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements being taken by the patient.

Aricept should be taken exactly as instructed or prescribed. Patients should never take the drug in larger amounts, or take it longer than prescribed. Although Aricept is mostly taken just before bedtime, it may also be prescribed to be taken before or after meals, with the regular tablets taken with a glass of water.

Patients who are taking Aricept ODT should keep the medicines in their blister packs until they are ready to be taken. Peel or cut the blister to get the tablet. Pushing it through the back may cause damage to the tablet. Make sure your hands are dry when you remove the tablet from the pack and out it inside your mouth. Aricept ODT dissolves immediately, so refrain from chewing or swallowing it whole. Instead, allow the tablet to dissolve inside the mouth. You should keep on swallowing as the medicine dissolves.

In case you missed a dose, take it when you remember it. However, if it’s almost the scheduled time for the next one, forget taking the missed dose and follow regular schedule of dosing. Double doses should not be taken to compensate for the missed dose.
In case pf overdose, patients should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of overdose include: vomiting, severe nausea, blurred vision, slow heartbeat, muscle weakness, seizures, drooling, light headedness, fainting, sweating, and shallow breathing.

Aricept side effects do not happen to all patients. However, if there are unusual symptoms, the doctor should be notified at once. Minor side effects include the following: insomnia, vomiting, nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and loss of appetite.

Aricept drug may not completely cure patients from Alzheimer’s disease, but the medication allows them to enjoy being with their loved ones longer.