Product Information
Aricept (generic name donepezil) helps improve memory in people with Alzheimer's disease. It belongs to a group of medicines called cholinesterase inhibitors. Cholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain involved with memory. By blocking cholinesterase, Aricept boosts the brain- Aricept
- What are the major disorders for which Aricept/Donepezil may be Used?
- How Aricept works?
- Is any prescription required to get Aricept?
- Dosage of Aricept?
- What is the minimum duration for which Aricept should be taken?
- Are there any side effects of Aricept?
- Under what circumstances should Aricept not be used?
- Under which storage conditions Aricept should be kept?
- Major Drug (Aricept and other similar drug) Manufacturers
- Similar Drugs
- From where can one get Aricept?
Aricept, a Drug consisting of Donepezil compound is basically used for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Aricept is a member of a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, and which are used for improving the memory of patients. Aricept is being manufactured jointly by Eisai Co., Ltd and Pfizer.
What are the major disorders for which Aricept/Donepezil may be Used?
Aricept/Donepezil is recommended to patients who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a very common form of dementia, which is a disorder of the brain where it affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. This is most common among the older people. This basically involves that part of the brain which has a control over thought, memory, and language.
A person suffering from Alzheimer's disease suffers from a general loss of intellectual ability and impairment of memory, judgment and abstract thinking, as well as changes in personality. Besides these, the person also has loss of speech, disorientation and apathy. It takes from a few months to four or five years to progress to complete loss of intellectual function.
As far the research done uptill now, no particular reason has been found out for the occurrence of this disease, and several factors can be there that affect each person differently. One amongst them is the Age. The disease tends to worsen as one grows. The other reason could be Family history.
It has been found out that people with Alzheimer's generally respond better if the treatment is started early. Aricept can help in slowing down the symptoms of Alzheimer's. People who start treatment with Aricept early may keep higher memory and thinking skills longer. Also, treatment may help people keep doing their daily tasks longer.
Aricept/Donepezil is used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Aricept belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes tacrine (Cognex).
Alzheimer's disease can be caused due to a deficiency in chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by nerves in the brain to communicate with one another. Donepezil inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for the destruction of one neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. This leads to increased concentrations of acetylcholine in the brain, and the increased concentrations are believed to be responsible for the improvement seen during treatment with donepezil. Donepezil improves the symptoms but does not slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Aricept works by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. Aricept doesn't cure Alzheimer's or keep it from getting worse, but it can help relieve some of the memory loss. Aricept is most effective when given in the earlier stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Is any prescription required to get Aricept?
Since Aricept/Donepezil is meant for a brain disorder, hence just like other similar medicines, it is required to have a prescription of a Medical expert before one can get Aricept. The doctor can best guide about the dosage and whether the drug will be suitable to a particular individual or not.
Aricept comes in 5mg and 10mg tablets, and is generally recommended once in a day generally in the night. And the dosage of Aricept/Donepezil should start from 5 mg, which may be increased further. There are no special instructions as to whether Aricept may be taken before or after meals, but should be swallowed with a glass of water.
What is the minimum duration for which Aricept should be taken?
As per the research done on this uptill now, there is no specific time period identified for the duration of Aricept use. The duration of Aricept intake may vary from individual to individual, depending upon the mental health. The intake of Aricept/Donepezil should not be stopped without the advice of a Medical Practitioner.
Are there any side effects of Aricept?
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Frequent urination
Note: The intensity of the above may vary from person to person.
Under what circumstances should Aricept not be used?
- If a person is taking some other drug like NSAID's, Aricept should be taken with the consent of a Medical practitioner.
- If a person has allergy with Aricept/Donepezil or any other drug.
- If a person is being operated, may be minor, your medical specialist should know about it.
- If a person is having some other disease like Hypertension, Diabetes, or some other problem with any body part.
Under which storage conditions Aricept should be kept?
Aricept/Donepezil should be stored at room temperature and the place where it is kept should not have excessive moisture and temperature. However, Aricept should be kept in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Also, as per the general indications for any medicine, Aricept should also be thrown away if it is outdated.
Major Drug (Aricept and other similar drug) Manufacturers
- Eisai Co., Ltd
- Pfizer
- Shire Pharmaceuticals
- Novartis
- Lundbeck
- Ebixa (Lundbeck)
- Exelon (Novartis)
- Hydergine (Novartis)
- Memantine hydrochloride (Lundbeck)
- Reminyl (Shire Pharmaceuticals)
- Rivastigmine (Novartis)
From where can one get Aricept?
Anyone can buy Aricept from Online Pharmacy, which is available at a discounted price, 50% off, and the best way to get Aricept is by logging on to http://www.abconlinepharmacy.com for online orders. This pharmacy provides you with drugs at cheap and affordable prices. One can order the medicine and pay through VISA, MasterCard or international money order.
