Aricept |
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Aricept (generic name: donepezil) is an oral medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Aracept belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes tacrine (Cognex). Scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease may result from a deficiency in chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by nerves in the brain to communicate with one another. Aracept 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.
Sometimes Aricept is used by healthy individuals as brain booster. It aid in learning and effective in memory enhancement.
Key words: donepezil, aracept, arisept, donezepil, donepezil hydrochloride, aricept side effects, aricept medication, aricept drug, aricept dosage, aricept enhancer, brain booster.
Aricept generic (generic - what is it?)
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USD 155.00 |
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Aricept: Medications and Prescriptions
Generic name: Donepezil
Product Brand Name: Aricept ®
Product Manufacturer: Pfyzer
Aricept description
Why is this drug prescribed? is one of the few drugs that can provide some relief from the symptoms of early Alzheimer's disease. (Cognex, Exelon, and Reminyl are others.) Alzheimer's disease causes physical changes in the brain that disrupt the flow of information and interfere with memory, thinking, and behavior. Aricept can temporarily improve brain function in some Alzheimer's sufferers, although it does not halt the progress of the underlying disease.
Most important fact about this drug To maintain any improvement, Aricept must be taken regularly. If the drug is stopped, its benefits will soon be lost. Patience is in order when starting the drug. It can take up to 3 weeks for any positive effects to appear.
How should you take this medication? Aricept should be taken once a day just before bedtime. Be sure it's taken every day. If Aricept is not taken regularly, it won't work. It can be taken with or without food.
--If you miss a dose... Make it up as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one that was missed and go back to the regular schedule. Never double the dose.
--Storage instructions.. Store at room temperature.
What side effects may occur? Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell the doctor as soon as possible. Only the doctor can determine if it is safe to continue Aricept. Side effects are more likely with higher doses. The most common are diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, nausea, and vomiting. When one of these effects occurs, it is usually mild and gets better as treatment continues.
Other side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, arthritis, bruising, depression, dizziness, fainting, frequent urination, headache, pain, sleepiness, weight loss
Why should this drug not be prescribed? There are two reasons to avoid Aricept: an allergic reaction to the drug itself, or an allergy to the group of antihistamines that includes Claritin, Allegra, Atarax, Periactin, and Optimine.
Special warnings about this medication Aricept can aggravate asthma and other breathing problems, and can increase the risk of seizures. It can also slow the heartbeat, cause heartbeat irregularities, and lead to fainting episodes. Contact your doctor if any of these problems occur. In patients who have had stomach ulcers, and those who take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Advil, Nuprin, or Aleve, Aricept can make stomach side effects worse. Be cautious when using Aricept and report all side effects to your doctor.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication Aricept will increase the effects of certain anesthetics. Make sure the doctor is aware of Aricept therapy prior to any surgery. If Aricept is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Aricept with the following:
Antispasmodic drugs such as Bentyl, Cogentin, and Pro-Banthine
Bethanechol chloride (Urecholine)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding Since it is not intended for women of child-bearing age, Aricept's effects during pregnancy have not been studied, and it is not known whether it appears in breast milk.
Recommended dosage:
ADULTS:
The usual starting dose is 5 milligrams once a day at bedtime for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Do not increase the dose during this period unless directed. The doctor may then change the dosage to 10 milligrams once a day if response to the drug warrants it.
CHILDREN:
The safety and effectiveness of Aricept have not been established in children.
Overdosage Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
· Symptoms of Aricept overdose include:
Collapse, convulsions, extreme muscle weakness (possibly ending in death if breathing muscles are affected), low blood pressure, nausea, salivation, slowed heart rate, sweating, vomiting.
Caution! Before starting to take this medicine, it is vital that you should consult your doctor! Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.
Neuro-enhancement. Brain doping.
Förstl H.
Nervenarzt. 2009 Jul;80(7):840-6.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675, München.
Cognitive enhancement, the increase in the mental ability by psychoactive substances and other interventions has received a renewed boost through the development of innovative principle. More than 100 drugs are currently being developed, tested or used for cognitive enhancement. Cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept), memantine, dimebon, ampakines, fluoxetine and other antidepressants, methylphenidate and modafinil are candidates awaiting a larger distribution as cognitive enhancers in healthy individuals, if their advantages can be demonstrated. Beyond more general neuro-ethical reservations regarding neuro-enhancement, future research will need to address the following neuropsychiatric issues: (1) will the benefits of longer term neuro-enhancement outweigh potential disadvantages such as rebound effects and other neurobiological and psychosocial trade-offs? (2) What will be the neuropsychiatric sequelae of a soft coercion towards drug usage at work and for recreational purposes? (3) Will there be new and specific neuropsychiatric diseases due to long-term usage of neuro-enhancers in a larger population? Novel strategies of neuro-enhancement will have to demonstrate their superiority compared with more traditional and well-established interventions such as coffee and cake.
Aricept notes:
Approved by the FDA in 1996, Aricept with the generic name donepezil is an oral medication used for treating Alzheimer's disease. Belonging to a class of drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors, aricept treats Alzheimer's disease that is believed to be caused due to deficiency in chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by nerves in the brain for communication with one another. Aracept inhibits an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase that causes destruction of one neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. As a result increased concentrations of acetylcholine occur in the brain that helps in the improvement for the treatment using donepezil. Donezepil also known as donepezil hydrochloride reduces the symptoms but not the reduction of progression of Alzheimer's disease.
As part of the treatment in Alzheimer's disease, aricept drug causes physical changes in the brain that interrupts the flow of information and obstructs with memory, behavior and thinking. This medication can improve brain function temporarily in some Alzheimer's sufferers, but cannot stop the progression of the underlying disease. aricept dosage has to be taken regularly to maintain any improvement. The benefits of the drugs will be stopped as soon as it is stopped to be taken. Up to 3 weeks time is required for any positive effects of the drug to appear. Aricept or donepezil hydrochloride has to be taken once a day before bedtime every day with or without food. You can also avail of the benefits of aricept patient assistance program.
Aricept side effects include insomnia, diarrhea, loss of appetite, arthritis, nausea, muscle cramps, abnormal dreams, bruising, vomiting and fatigue. Aricept medication should not be prescribed along with drug under a group of antihistamines like Allegra, Atarax, Claritin, Periactin, and Optimine.
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Drug category:Anti-Alzheimer's, Anti-Dementia Agents
 Aricept
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