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ARICEPT®
donepezil hydrochloride tablets
http://www.aricept.com
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ARICEPT® (donepezil HCl) is the first and only prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of all stages of Alzheimer's disease - mild, moderate and severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
It's important to remember that while ARICEPT may treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, it is not a cure. All patients with Alzheimer's disease will get worse over time, even if they take ARICEPT 23 mg.
ARICEPT does not work the same in all people. Some people may:
- Seem much better
- Get better in small ways or stay the same
- Get worse over time but slower than expected
- Not change and then get worse as expected.
ARICEPT is currently available in 5 mg tablet, 10 mg tablet, and 23 mg tablet and orally disintegrating tablet (5 mg and 10 mg). ARICEPT was discovered and developed by Eisai and is co-promoted in the United States by Eisai and Pfizer.
The recommended starting dose of ARICEPT is 5 mg daily and can be increased to ARICEPT 10 mg once daily after patients have been on ARICEPT 5 mg for four to six weeks. Appropriate patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease who are established on a regimen of ARICEPT 10 mg tablet for at least three months may be candidates for dose escalation to ARICEPT 23 mg tablet.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 5.3 million people have Alzheimer's disease.
Important Safety Information
ARICEPT is not for everyone, including people who are allergic to any ingredients in ARICEPT or to medicines that contain piperidines.
Tell the doctor if your loved one takes nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those used to treat Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease; anticholinergic medicines, such as allergy or cold medicine; medicines to treat bladder or bowel spasms; or certain asthma medicines.
ARICEPT may cause slow heartbeat and fainting. This happens more often in people with heart problems. Call the doctor right away if the patient faints while taking ARICEPT. People may also have seizures while taking ARICEPT. They may also have difficulty passing urine. Lung problems, including asthma, may worsen with the use of ARICEPT. Tell the doctor that the patient takes ARICEPT before they have any procedure that may require anesthesia, including dental and medical procedures or surgery.
People at risk for stomach ulcers or who take certain other medicines, such as aspirin or
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should tell their doctor because serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, may get worse.
In a study, more side effects were seen with ARICEPT 23 mg than with ARICEPT 10 mg. Many more people taking ARICEPT 23 mg experienced nausea and vomiting than those taking ARICEPT 10 mg. These side effects may get better after the patient takes ARICEPT for a while. Other side effects that were seen more often with ARICEPT 23 mg were stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and weight loss. People of lower weight (less than 121 lbs) may have increased nausea, vomiting, and weight loss when taking ARICEPT 23 mg.
Other side effects of ARICEPT may include diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, vomiting, or muscle cramps. Some people may feel tired or may have loss of appetite.
For Full Prescribing and Patient Information, please visit www.aricept.com or call (866) 427-4278 or call Eisai Medical Services (888) 274-2378. To report suspected adverse reactions, call (888) 274-2378.
The ARICEPT Patient Assistance Program can help qualified indigent and uninsured patients obtain ARICEPT at no cost. To learn more and receive an application for assistance, please contact us Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM ET at phone: (800) 226-2072 or fax: (800) 226-2059.
CORP50
Package Insert: Aricept_PI.pdf
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