ARICEPT Reviews (DONEPEZIL HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 1.7 (210 Ratings)

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 ALZHEIMER-TYPE DEMENTIA

 Type: Rx Drug

  

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)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR ARICEPTCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 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
 1  Dementia This medication was prescribed to my 81 year old mother who had, had 2 previous strokes. She has slight dementia and when she went to a follow up appointment with a neurologist/phyc. he prescribed her Aricept after talking to for a few minutes. After 3 weeks of taking this medication, I found her on the floor lying like a snow angel and she did not even seem to care. I think that this is a dangerous medication. My mother like a lot of others mentioned above has incontenence, dhiarea, cannot walk on her own and is very hypersensative, sleeps alot during the day, tries to get up during the night to use the toilet and does not and soils herself. When we try to get her up to walk everything aches. This drug may help some people but from the responses that I have read here most of them have been negative. This has been a nightmare for my mother and whole family. Our family doctor told us 2 weeks ago to get our mother off of this drug. She has shown a little improvement but still is not the mother I knew before taking this drug. I feel that this drug is very dangerous especially to the elderly and should be taken off the market. We are praying everyday that my mother gets back to the life she once had. F 81 3 years
12/8/2009
 1  My 81 year old father For early Alzheimers.Only on it for 2 weeks, became extremely depressed and lethargic and then doctor doubled dose and it was even worse. Affected his speech, thinking, sleeping. I don't think this medicine helped my father at all. If anything, it made him worse. His speech became slurred and he wasn't even able to make words. His blood pressure skyrocketed and he had never had a issue with high blood pressure. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone living alone because he wasn't even able to tell us how he was feeling. Luckily a family member checks on him several times a day and he was treated at the hospital but the side effects have left him feeling ill and severely depressed. I understand that his alzheimers will progress but this medicine turned his life into a nightmare after only taking it for a week. I think the physicians need more education on what to watch for in their patients. The warnings with the prescription don't tell enough. M 81 3 weeks
12/7/2009
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 4  Alzheimers Am writing on behalf of my father who was diagnosed with Alzheimers in January 2005. He had been having memory loss problems for a while before being diagnosed and we suspected he may have it for a while before being diagnosed, but he put it down to stopping work as he had been self-employed and used to being busy. He started withdrawing from life as he knew it, refusing to go out, not wanting to converse or socialize with anyone, including his own family. He seemed to be in a depression and had no real interest in life any longer. He was started on Aricept 5mg increased to 10mg after a year. We saw an immediate change FOR THE BETTER in him. He regained all his prior interests in life, was far more chatty and happy in himself than he'd been for a very long while. It was as if he'd been lifted out of himself and we were extremely pleased with the good result of this drug. He's just been to the memory clinic for his 6-monthly check up and he didn't score very well, so they now want to withdraw it as they say it isn't doing any good, but we don't want it to be stopped. He went into permanent residential care last month. We lost my mum last year and I was his carer until then. We decided to put him into care because he's no longer safe in his own home (for a variety of reasons, all linked to his Alz). At the care home he helps do simple chores and at my house he still peels vegetables and can make a drink for himself, with step-by-step instructions. We're really afraid that if he comes off Aricept he'll lose what precious little skills he has left, so we're fighting to keep him on it. We live in the UK and it's paid for by our National Health Service and is therefore free to him but I know it is an expensive drug. He isn't on any other medication as he has excellent health in every other way. We believe that everything my father can still do is thanks to Aricept and personally I would advise anybody to try it. I know it isn't for everyone, but it has definitely worked for him. M 79 4 years
11/30/2009
 1  My father is for slight memory loss My father is having loose stools, he's acting childish, nightmares at night, sleeping during the day, begging to be taken off this drug. My father was just experiencing some memory loss and repeating a lot of stories. Doctor put him on Aricept about two months ago..5mg, now 10mg. I had not seen him in a month, just had Mom telling me what was going on. I saw him today - not my normal Dad. Something crazy has happened. He's acting like a child, etc. I just read things posted here, and I'm very upset. My mother-in-law was put on this and she went crazy. I made the doctor take her off, because I couldn't handle her. Now, I see what my dad is like in just this short of a time. I called Mom and told her what I've read. It fits what he's acting like. We have to take him off it and hope it hasn't done damage. I am very upset tonight. We were trying to find out if this stuff can be quit "cold turkey" or not. M 80 2 months
11/13/2009
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 2  Memory loss My mother, who is on a bunch of other thyroid and blood pressure drugs, tends to develop total anxiety breakdowns within 4-5 hours of each daily dosage. Many of similar symptoms reported for other patients here. Drop in blood pressure, shaky hands, total loss of situational awareness, distortion of reality, loss of rational thinking, repeated past fears, confusion of past and present, self destructive behavior, etc...When a dosage is skipped, a normal thinking and behavioral pattern is restored. Cant' say if the drug is ineffective or if it interacts with other prescriptions. I am surprised that doctors were so quick to prescribed to someone who has what appears to be "normal" memory loss for her age (84). There does not appear to be any improvement in memory recall. A definite no-no. F 84 60 days
11/12/2009
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 3  vascular dementia Writing for my mother. She was diagnosed with vasccular demential. Been on 10 mg aricept for about a year. Saw some improvement in memory in the beginning after we got past the initial "break in period". In recents months she's had horrible diariah, terrible weight loss. My sister said Mom looks like she's starving to death. She eats well when we go out however so maybe it's that she doesn't like to cook any more. Mom does however confuse my sister with her own Mom who died over 20 years ago, and constantly refers to her mother as though she's had recent conversation with her. That started with the Aricept. Her disposition has not gotten violent like some comments on here, but in general she's more negative than before and it's hard to get her motivated to do anything. She sleeps more than she used to, in the middle of the day even. But all the comments I see the severe side effects started right away. Her's are all coming on slowly. I can't tell if it is just the general aging process continuing to progress or if the drug is just taking longer to do it's bad things. Her memory, once improved on the drug seems no better and no worse than it was when we started. But of course, there's always the fear to taking her off the drug and finding out it really was helping... If anyone has experience with symptoms 'creeping up' rather than so immediate, can you please respond to my email address? F 84 1 years
11/2/2009
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 1  memory loss (old age) Delusions,Confusion,Fatigue,Panic Attacks My mother started to image shadows of a male head w/ eyeglasses watching her and hearing "clicks" as if someone was photographing her. Needless to say what she is seeing are floaters and flashing lights; an effect to the YAG laser eye surgery she had about the same time she starting taking the Aricept. This is an alarming "head trip" drug. This is her 1st day off Aricept. Does anyone have any experience with the delusions stopping after the discontinuation of Aricept? F 73 18 days
10/26/2009
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 1  Short Term Memory Loss Delusional dreams, anxiety, tiredness Took a low dosage for only four days F 88 4 days
10/23/2009
 1  Alzheimers horrible diarhhea, difficulty verbalizing, interupted sleep and loss of appetite, memory seems far worse my brother is 60 yrs old. He was dx at age 56 and placed on Namenda. dosage was slowly increased until he reached 10mg bid and has done quite well. Since starting the Airicept he has shown a rapid decline. The stomach upsets have been horrible for him. He is not his smiling self and is happiest when isolated in his room. I have stopped this killer med and will never give him another dose of it. I do not understand why this drug is still on the market. M 60 10 days
10/15/2009
 1  my father did; 88 years old He was prescribed aricept to manage Alzeimer's. He died by gasping for air (he could not breath; he died in my hands taking a breath every 10 seconds until he stopped breathing). My father was not in great shape but we had no reason to expect him to die. When he started taking aricept, he also started sleeping more. After one week we rushed him to the hospital because he could not breath. There he recovered soon (now I imagine because Aricept was stopped). We brought him back and he started aricept again following the doctor's orders. He died after a week. My father always had low blood pressure, and I would imagine bradycardia as well. I am afraid that aricept stopped his heart from beating (possibly by increasing the levels of acetylcholine). If only I had checked earlier the side effects of this drug on the internet. F 88 2 weeks
10/15/2009
 1  BY AGE WITHOUT A REASON Difficulty breathing, moving and talking, tightness in the chest, confusion, unusual tiredness and sluggishness, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, lost of appetite and weight, swelling of the hands. My mother was recovering from a hip surgery at Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brooklyn, NY. Her observing doctor at the center had prescribed this drug without any reason or concern. My mother has never suffered from Dementia or any stage of Alzheimer disease. We were completely unaware of the fact she was taking Aricept until all physical and mental changes had appeared and I had researched it on-line. This drug is VERY DANGEROUS and families should be advised on all possible issues. It is 1 week now she is off the medication but we still can't see the improvement in her. F 91 4 weeks
10/13/2009
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 1  Dementia My mother has Dementia and the side effects were scary. I asked the her doctor what would be good for her loss of memory and how she was acting up. Doctor gave Aricept and after three days I saw she was acting worse. She was going around in circles with her wheelchair and complaining more about everything. Nighttime was the worst. I was unhappy with this drug and I took her off. On the day she did not receive the dose, she is clear headed and can talk, walk and more like herself. I threw them in the trash. She won't be taking it again ever. I heard this medication would help the effects of Dementia. On TV, it is advertised as something great. They show that the patient regains their momentum in life again. These drugs are a lie and the poor old people are guinea pigs for the doctors. It is all about profit for Pharmaceutical companies and government. Beware and protect your elderly parents or relatives. F 82 3 days
10/10/2009
 1  My dad was taking for memory loss. He had horrible nightmares the first two nights and stopped taking it. His doctor told him to continue taking it,so he tried taking again, this time in the day. He still had the scary nightmares when he took his nap. He says his stools are black. I don't feel it is safe for someone 88 to take this drug. I am surprised his Doctor told him to stay on it. Thanks for all the comments that helped me realize that we are not crazy for questioning the use of this drug. M 88 4 days
10/3/2009
 1  Vascular Dementia Stopped talking, walking, always mumbling...panicky, doesn't recognise family, herself. Can't walk, can't sleep in bed...almost all day and night in wheel chair. This is about my mother. My mom who has Vascular Dementia had major stroke last week. Immediately after the EVENT, she talks, walks...but confused due to inability to see, sudden vision loss/blurring. The first 3 days in hospital, she was put on sedatives, and done CT brain, MRI/MRV/MRA, etc. She began to regain herself/mind. A friend of mine told me about his dad's use of Aricept for AD. I asked our doc to give it to mum, and ever since, now like 4 days, she stopped talking, droopy feeling and looking all times. We have to carry her to toilet...every half hour. Force meds into her mouth..and perhaps most distressing is that she doesn't NOT recognise any of us, her kids, or herself!! F 79 4 days
10/2/2009
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 1  my mother in law age 80 alzheimers Very unplesant experience for us her care givers. She was hyperactive,demanding to go to ER though when questioned she gave no symptoms (eg pain, shortness of breath, headche, or anything] that would warrant a 4 or 5 hr wait to be seen there . the aricept gave her an edge & attitude that made her terribly unpleasant to be around causing family members to just absent themselves. She didnt converse rationally, no recollection of her past, just a bitter unpleasant side emerged. Who needed this i stopped giving her the stuff rather have her wacky & pleasant then fighting a war with me! F 80 365 days
9/17/2009
 1  My mother taking for dementia After just 2 doses my Mom became very anxious, unable to walk in a straight line, had no appetite. Took her off of the drug after 1 week and she seemed to return to her "normal" state which was much better than the Aricept induced state. I have nothing good to say about this drug. It made my Mom worse and it was very scary to see the side effects. She also has osteoporosis, so the stumbling around really concerned me. I woul not recommend this drug to anyone. F 78 7 days
9/8/2009
 1  short term memory loss (age related Loss of balance, vomitting, diarrhea, abdominal upset, hallucinations, worsening of memory, weakened muscles, dehydration requiring 4 days in an intensive care unit and 2 more days in a step-down unit. She must now have 24 hour/day care and she was independently living before taking aricept!!! This can be a very dangerous medication. The side effects almost caused my mother's death. She is 86 years old. We're lucky she's alive; however, she hasn't fully recovered her balance, memory, or quality of life she had 2 weeks ago. F 86 8 days
8/22/2009
 1  severe dementia/possible alzheimers worsened memory, severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, extreme mood swings, anger, violent outbursts, slapping/shoving, incontinence, threatening to "run away", accusing family of stealing, says she wants to die. My 88 year old mother has suffered from dementia for many years. She was recently put on Aricept. Within a couple days she went from confused and suffering mild depression to having outbursts of anger, threatening to leave, thinking everyone hated her, hitting family members ... making everyone absolutely miserable. She didn't draw a happy breath. Everything was doom and gloom and she voiced serious suicidal thoughts. Cried continuously and made outrageous accusations. Would walk into a room (sometimes waking a family member up from a sound sleep)and say, "Why do you hate me?" Ran out of medication due to pharmacy mix up. Within days she was better. Refilled medication 5 days ago and put her back on it. All symptoms have returned - even worse now. After reading these other comments - she has taken her last pill! F 88 2 months
8/19/2009
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 4  my mother for Alzheimers some diarrhea My Mom is 87 and was diagnosed with "early Alzheimers" in 1995. They told us the average lifespan was 7 years. This is 2009 and altho she has declined, she still plays the piano and has a happy personality. I credit Aricept for this, as she's been on it 12 years. F 87 12 years
8/7/2009

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