Uses of Memorin: - Alzheimer's disease Mild to moderately, severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives.

Drugs for Dementia

Donepezil Hydrochloride is a centrally acting anticholinesterase agent. It binds reversibly with acetylcholinesterase and inactivates it, thus inhibiting hydrolysis of acetylcholine. As a result the concentration of acetylcholine increases at cholinergic synapses in the brain.

How to use Donepezil Hydrochloride: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Donepezil Hydrochloride may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Administration: May be taken with or without food. Adult Dose: Oral Mild to moderately severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease Adult: Initially, 5 mg daily at bedtime, increase if necessary up to 10 mg once daily at bedtime after 4-6 wk. Elderly: Initially, 5 mg daily at bedtime, increase if necessary up to 10 mg once daily at bedtime after 4-6 wk. Hepatic impairment: A similar dose schedule can be followed for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment as clearance of donepezil hydrochloride is not affected by these conditions. Renal Dose: Renal impairment: A similar dose schedule can be followed for patients with renal impairment as clearance of donepezil hydrochloride is not affected by these conditions.

May increase the neurotoxic effect of antipsychotics. Concurrent use with systemic corticosteroids may increase the adverse effects of donepezil. May increase the neuromuscular-blocking effect of succinylcholine. May increase the adverse effects of cholinergic agonists. May increase the bradycardic effect of beta-blockers.

Donepezil is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives.

Common - Nausea - Vomiting - Diarrhea Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, wt loss, diarrhoea, insomnia, fatigue, muscle cramps; headache and dizziness; syncope, bradycardia; convulsions; increased liver transaminases; sinoatrial and atrioventricular block; hallucinations, agitation and aggressive behavior; minor increases in plasma creatine kinase; potentially bladder outflow obstruction.

There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant woman. Donepezil should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether Donepezil Hydrochloride is secreted in human breast milk or not. Donepezil is not indicated in nursing mother.

Precaution: Caution when used in patients with sick sinus syndrome or cardiac conduction abnormalities. May increase secretion of gastric acid; caution when used in patients at risk of ulcer disease. Patients with COPD, asthma, history of epilepsy, bladder obstruction, prostatic hypertrophy. May cause dose-related diarrhoea, nausea and/or vomiting which usually resolves after 1-3 wk. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children. Pregnancy, lactation.

Symptoms of overdose includes nausea, vomiting, salivation. Over dosage with very high dose of donepezil may result in cholinergic crisis characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, salivation, bradycardia, hypotension, increasing muscle weakness, respiratory depression, collapse and convulsion. As in any case of over dose, general supportive measures should be utilized. In case of cholinergic crisis hospitalization of the patient is required.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Drugs for Dementia

Donepezil reversibly and noncompetitively inhibits centrally-active acetylcholinesterase. It is used for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Pregnancy There are no adequate data on developmental risks associated with use in pregnant women Lactation There are no data on presence of donepezil or metabolites in human milk, effects on breastfed infant, or on milk production; developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infant from drug or from underlying maternal condition