This article describes possible side effects of donepezil oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for donepezil. You can explore this overview article to learn more about donepezil oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Donepezil oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Aricept. Donepezil also comes as a tablet that dissolves in your mouth, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about it, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of donepezil
Donepezil oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of donepezil oral tablet include:
- nausea
- diarrhea*
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- vomiting
- muscle cramps
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of donepezil in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of donepezil
Donepezil may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of donepezil oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea*
- feeling tired
- headache
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- nausea
- muscle cramps
- skin discoloration, usually caused by bruising
- unusual dreams
- urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)
- vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of donepezil in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with donepezil oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of donepezil
Donepezil may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from donepezil oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with donepezil.
Serious side effects of donepezil oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- depression
- GI bleeding*
- heart problems, including heart block
- seizures
- severe diarrhea,* nausea, or vomiting
- weight loss
- hallucinations*
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of donepezil in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with donepezil oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Common questions about side effects of donepezil
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of donepezil oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is donepezil safe for older adults?
In general, yes. Donepezil is safe for older adults (age 65 years and older) to take if their doctor prescribes it.
Donepezil is prescribed to treat dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. (Dementia refers to problems with thinking, memory, and communication.) This condition usually affects older adults. In studies of donepezil oral tablet, the average age of people taking the drug was 73 years old.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about whether donepezil is safe for you to take based on your medical history.
Does donepezil cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, donepezil oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with donepezil oral tablet include:
- depression, which may go away once you stop taking donepezil
- GI bleeding, which may not be a risk once you stop taking donepezil
- heart problems, including heart block, which may go away once you stop taking donepezil
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with donepezil.
Will donepezil 5 mg cause fewer side effects than donepezil 10 mg?
It’s possible. In general, lower doses of a drug are less likely to cause side effects compared with higher doses.
In studies, some side effects were more common among people taking the 10-milligram (mg) dose of donepezil oral tablet compared with those taking the 5-mg dose. These include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of donepezil in detail” section below.
To reduce the risk of side effects from taking a 10-mg dose of donepezil, your doctor may start your donepezil treatment at a 5-mg dose. They may prescribe this strength for several weeks before deciding whether to increase the dose to 10 mg.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have more questions about your donepezil dose and how it affects your risk of side effects from taking the drug.
Coupon for donepezil
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for donepezil when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
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Side effects of donepezil in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of donepezil oral tablet.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations were rare in people taking donepezil oral tablet in studies of the drug. This side effect may be serious.
With hallucinations, you see, hear, or experience things that aren’t actually real. Symptoms may include:
- hearing a voice that isn’t there
- seeing things that aren’t real
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of hallucinations while taking donepezil oral tablet, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with the drug. They can also suggest ways to treat your hallucinations, if appropriate.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea was common in people taking donepezil oral tablet in studies of the drug. This side effect is usually mild, but may be serious in rare cases.
With diarrhea, you have loose, watery stools. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain or cramping and dehydration (low fluid level).
Ways to manage
Diarrhea caused by donepezil oral tablet often goes away on its own as you continue taking the drug.
That said, if you experience symptoms of diarrhea that don’t go away or are severe, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a treatment for your symptoms. If your diarrhea persists, your doctor may suggest stopping treatment with donepezil.
GI bleeding
GI bleeding was rare in people taking donepezil oral tablet in studies of the drug. This side effect may be serious.
With GI bleeding, you experience bleeding in your digestive tract. Symptoms may include:
- vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- having blood in your stool
- passing stool that is tar-like in appearance
Certain factors can increase the risk of GI bleeding with donepezil oral tablet. These include:
- taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, together with donepezil
- having a stomach ulcer or having had one in the past
- taking high doses of donepezil
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of GI bleeding, tell your doctor immediately. They’ll likely recommend stopping donepezil treatment and can recommend appropriate treatment for your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or feel life threatening, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
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For some people, donepezil oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to donepezil oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for donepezil
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking donepezil oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take donepezil oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether donepezil oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking donepezil oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- asthma or other breathing or lung condition
- current or past stomach ulcer
- epilepsy or seizures
- heart conditions
- kidney conditions
- liver conditions
- difficulty swallowing pills
- past allergic reaction to donepezil or any of its ingredients
Donepezil and pregnancy
It’s not known whether donepezil oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Donepezil and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether donepezil oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Donepezil and alcohol
Donepezil oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, donepezil and alcohol can cause some similar side effects. Examples include diarrhea and nausea. Combining the two could raise your risk of these side effects.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with donepezil oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of donepezil oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Am I at higher risk of side effects from donepezil based on my health history?
- If I have diarrhea, what antidiarrheal medications are safe to take together with donepezil?
- If I develop diarrhea from taking donepezil, can you prescribe a lower dose for me to try?
- Do any medications I take interact with donepezil and increase my risk of side effects?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.