ARICEPT Reviews (DONEPEZIL HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 1.7 (210 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ARICEPT with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Satisfaction highest to lowest. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on ARICEPT: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ARICEPT | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Lewy body dementia | None so far | My mother was having hallucinations non stop- after only 4 days on aricept they have already diminished to at least half of what she was having. I am so thankful for this drug. | F | 80 | 4 days 5mg 1X day | 7/13/2020 | 5 | Mixed dementia, vascular for sure | Fullness in neck/throat, slight ringing or buzzing in ears first 4 or so days. Only diarrhea on second day. | Each morning when I wake up I feel great, aware, and alert, with fresh ideas. Actually interested in sex again after maybe months of not caring. I can plan projects. After a couple of weeks of frustration of not being able to figure out what goes into my coffee (not aspirin, not vitamins, etc., ) once on Aricept I know how to make my morning cup of coffee again! | F | 62 | 7 days 5 mg 1X day | 7/6/2015 | 5 | memory loss,confusion,indifference | During first 4 months especially after dosage increase - horror scary dreams, almost no sleep, nausea coming on suddenly, diarrhea off and on, vomit feeling for hours, long intense muscle cramps of entire limb mostly legs, instant onset fatigue and mild anorexia | After about 4 months the side effects became minimal, however my mental ability was restored to the level of when I was in my 40's, intelligence level became frightening high. Prior to taking donepezil I had only driven a car twice in the previous two months for fear of getting confused and lost, now I drive long distances, this is truly a miracle drug. My results may be better than most, but in spite of the side effects, it gives a quality of life that makes you want to live for tomorrow. | M | 69 | 6 months 20mg 1X day | 6/13/2015 | 5 | Sundowning; neuroborelliosis (Lyme) | Slightly lower blood pressure; slight nausea experienced during times of stress. Loss of weight, or difficulty gaining weight. Attribution to Aricept inferred. not solidly connected. | Have 'Alzheimer-like' sundowning symptoms with (as a result of?) late stage Lyme Disease. Aricept at 10mg. markedly reduced sundowning issues in frequency and intensity, but still have evening 'disconnect' issues. | F | 67 | 4 months 10 1X day | 6/24/2014 | 5 | alzheimers | improved behaviour. slowed memory loss,but after awhile don't notic as no memory,but you do notice need for drug in terms of behaviour and feeling safe, secure , no anxious and happy. taken off it because of fainting spells but quickly decided better to be on it. | F | 78 | 4 years 10 1X day | 11/20/2011 | 5 | Alzheimer's Disease | No side effects. Also taking 10mg of Namenda twice daily. | My mother who was diagnosed in 2006, has been on Aricept and Namenda and it is not the medication it is the disease which causes the aggressiveness. My mother had no side effects until 2011 and I was told it was the disease progressing. The medication has "bought" my mother and our family several years of valuable time together. We are just now beginning to see this mean disease begin to progress. When we saw the aggressive behavior begin, we placed Mom on Abilify. I know, it has side effects and a black box warning that it can cause death in the elderly. My doctor explained that there are two age groups of studies done on this medication. One is that of young people approximately 25 to 35 and an other one done on older adults, thus causing more side effects due to heart and health issues. My mother has done very well on this med and the aggressive behavior is completely gone. She takes it with nightly medications. I guess I am wondering if the aricapt and namenda will keep her in this "limbo" stage for years or should we expect it to progress soon? It sounds like every individual who has been diagnosed with AD progresses at different rates even if they take these meds which slow down the disease. | F | 78 | 5 years 10mg 1X day | 7/31/2011 | 5 | memory loss & concentration | I am 76 years old. I began the30 day sample of this medicine about two weeks ago. I didn't think this med could work so fast until I read comments in this site. Within a week I found my memory retention was inproving and I had no ill side effects. I figured that if the bad side effects could be evident within 1 day that my week of good effects could certainly be possible. I have always had a gift for remembering numbers. About a year or two ago I felt angry at the loss of this skill. Hooray! It's back! I hope now to regain conversational skills so I don't lose my way or get off track with the slightest sidetrack. | It appears to be better for early memory loss than for fully diagnosed Alz. I worked with Alzheimers residents for years and have seen the cost to the family. I have known about Aricept for years. I never believed that I would be taking it! | F | 76 | 11 days 5 MG 1X day | 5/19/2011 | 5 | none so far,seem to feel better thinking more carely,memory improved | Hope it keep on working!!!! | F | 74 | 5mg 1X day | 10/14/2010 | 5 | I am now 70 years old, 71 next month. I began taking ARICEPT 3 years ago when I felt my memory was beginning to suffer. I have never been happier and more alert and remember everything. I am devastated by the negative reports on this wonderful drug. If I live to 86 and then the "side effects" will show up, I have no problem with that. My memory and functioning now is equivalent to what it was at least 25 years ago, and I am hopeful it will continue. | F | 70 | 3 years 1X day | 9/25/2010 | 5 | short term memory loss | none noticed | my husband was started on Aricept when he began asking me the same questions within 5 minutes. We were frequently having the same conversation. I think it has done wonders for him as he immediately showed improvement and has only shown slight decline since then. He is still very active, stays mentallly alert by studying and teaching. He will get confused if we are in a new location and has some perceptual/problem solving difficulties | M | 79 | 7 years 10 mg 1X day | 4/9/2010 | 5 | Vascular Dementia | nausea,bloating,confusion,heartburns. all of which subsides after 2 weeks on the drug. | Aricept is a wonder drug! a true life saver for my grandmother. My grandmother was a complete wreck and started to deteriorate rapidly after having 5 strokes. her doctor diagnosed her with vascular dementia and prescribe aricept + namenda along with her daily drug regimen (aspirin, plavix, benicar, tekturna, crestor, zetia, lexapro, lamictal, soriatane). now she's absolutely couldn't be better,she's functions well with us and remember every little detail. I would recommend aricept and namenda to anyone who suffers from vascular dementia! | F | 75 | 1 years | 12/19/2009 | 5 | Slowly dreaming less and less and came to the point that I could not remember if I had any dreams at all. I did not notice any extensive memory loss although my wife was always making remarks about my memory. | My family has had several cases of Alzheimer, including my father (d. age 80) 2 first cousins (d. age 80, d. age 63) 2 first cousins suffering with Alzheimer (age 79 and age 83). I mentioned my symptoms to my doctor and asked about Aricept. He said he did not believe it would harm me to try Aricept, that has been 4 years now. No side effects. Dreams returned and are very vivid and very detailed. I do retain memories of the dreams. I am very active mentally. I maintain 3 Internet Web Sites and do extensive Genealogy research. Have not noticed any more extensive losses of memory, no more than any other acquaintances of my age. | M | 73 | 4 years | 3/24/2009 | 5 | For short term memory | None | My Doctor precribed Aricept when I mentioned short term memory problems. It is wonderful, my memory is much better and I really feel like my old self. My anxiety is much lower, balance is better, can recall many memories that I thought were lost. Am enjoying life again. | F | 72 | 4 months | 2/21/2009 | 5 | Gradual memory impairment | No side effects, except after about three days a litte insomnia, but that passed after three more days and now sleep is pretty normal, and even more productive for organizing experiences from the previous day. | It's a miracle product. The process of regaining my memory of childhood details is miraculous. Aricept has doubled my reading speed, increased my ability to use vocabulary, and enabled me to organize my thoughts much more quickly. It has practically tripled my reflexes. I can catch falling items in mid-air instantly and reflexively. Every day, my memory gets better and I've only been taking it a little over a week. I can jump from image to image from 40 years ago as if the events occurred yesterday, and these are thoughts and images I hadn't seen or remembered in over 40 years--all back for the first time since then as a result of aricept. Makes me feel like a superhero now! | M | 55 | 9 days | 9/3/2008 | 5 | part of a program for adult ADD | none noticed | After about a 2 week build up period suggested by my doctor, it seems to have helped me to focus and stay with my work. Am definitely getting a lot more done and feel much better about my contribution. Of course, not that it is part of a larger medical and habit adjustment program. Still,it was the only significant recent change that proceeded this result. | M | 58 | 4 months | 3/7/2007 | 5 | dementia | During the early stages of taking Aricept, diarrhea and some fecal incontinence were noticeable side effects. | Aricept has given my 76 year-old mother "herself" back and I'm extremely grateful to the doctor who prescribed Aricept for her. She's her "old" self - and, so very happy and grateful - as are her family and friends. | F | 76 | 60 days | 8/27/2006 | 5 | dementia | During the early stages of taking Aricept, diarrhea and some fecal incontinence were noticeable side effects. | Aricept has given my 76 year-old mother "herself" back and I'm extremely grateful to the doctor who prescribed Aricept for her. She's her "old" self - and, so very happy and grateful - as are her family and friends. | F | 48 | 60 days | 8/27/2006 | 5 | Alzheimers | Diarrhea. When going to the toilet it comes out in an explosive manner. Disconcerting. Does anyone know how to counteract the diarrhea? | This drug has slowed down the disease dramatically and given a higher quality of life. Everyone who has Alzheimers should have the option to have this drug (assuming no complications with other medication or health problems). In UK the government are against giving it because of the cost - that is cruel to the patient and relatives. | M | 77 | 2 years | 5/16/2005 | 5 | Alzheimers | Diarrhea | Excellent. Transformed my FIL and has brought him back to us for 2 years now! We are now seeking anti depressants to help make sure he does not withdraw into himself. | M | 76 | 730 days | 11/28/2004 | 4 | memory loss | No side effects for a few days and saw improvement in memory,then memory decreased over the next week.Started at 5mg until problems started then cut pill in half,After 2 days of new dosage could tell memory functions were back up.Mom is 88 and didn't need 5mg.She is back to knowing people and remembering events. | Just because you receive the lowest dosage available,some people don't need a full dose. | F | 88 | 2 weeks 5mg 1X day | 8/29/2017 |
ARICEPT (DONEPEZIL HYDROCHLORIDE): Donepezil is used to treat confusion (dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to function. This medication is an enzyme blocker that works by restoring the balance of natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. FDA Approval Date: 1996-11-25 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)