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Donepezil

Donepezil, sold as Aricept, is a cholinesterase inhibitor for cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease. The listing includes one product: Aricept tablets in 5 mg and 10 mg.

Aricept

Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia

5mg · 10mg

Donepezil tablets for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. It works by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain, but it does not stop the underlying disease.

From$1.25/ tabletView

Key points

  • Donepezil can support memory, attention and daily function but does not cure the disease.
  • Serious concerns include slow heartbeat, fainting and gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Donamem, a separate product, pairs donepezil with memantine; Aricept contains donepezil alone.

How does Donepezil work?

Donepezil blocks cholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the brain. With that enzyme inhibited, more acetylcholine stays available to nerve cells. This supports the chemical signalling that Dementia linked to Alzheimer’s disease disrupts. The effect is symptomatic: it does not slow the underlying disease. Aricept is the single-ingredient donepezil product in the Neurology listing.

Further reading