Aricept is the brand name for the generic drug donepezil hydrochloride. This medication is a cholinesterase inhibitor and helps improve brain function by altering the levels of certain chemicals within the brain. Aricept is administered as an oral tablet once daily or as indicated by a medical professional.
Alzheimer's Disease
Aricept is indicated to treat patients who have dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, a neurological disorder that results in the progressive decline of cognitive function. Though this medication can't cure Alzheimer's disease, it has been shown to help restore mental function and memory in affected patients, PubMed Health explains. Treatment with Aricept may also delay the progression of cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
How Aricept Works
Though the exact mechanism by which Aricept works is not fully understood, researchers with Eisai Col, Ltd., the pharmaceutical manufacturer of this medication, report that Aricept boosts cholinergic function. Increased cholinergic function means that there are increased brain levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in transmitting and processing nerve signals in the brain. The symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, such as memory loss, confusion and poor judgment, are directly related to poor cholinergic function. Use of Aricept by Alzheimer's disease patients can elevate acetylcholine levels in the brain, thereby improving nerve signal transmission and processing and, consequently, cognitive function.
Contraindications
This medication is contraindicated for patients who are allergic or hypersensitive to any of the components of Aricept, including donepezil hydrochloride or other medications that contain piperidine derivatives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. Patients with pre-existing cardiac or gastrointestinal conditions should discuss these health issues with a medical professional prior to beginning treatment with Aricept. Additionally, this medication should not be used by children or pregnant women.
Side Effects
Patients can experience mild to moderate side effects while taking Aricept. Potential side effects include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, muscle cramps, upset stomach, diarrhea or decreased appetite, Drugs.com reports. Severe side effects, such as seizures, difficulty urinating, coughing up blood or blood within the stools or vomit, require prompt medical attention.
