Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning.Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before taking Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats), an enlarged prostate, urination problems, asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, or a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg.Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not take Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg if you are allergic to donepezil.Before taking Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

a heart rhythm disorder such as "sick sinus syndrome" (slow heartbeats);a history of stomach ulcers;an enlarged prostate or urination problems;epilepsy or other seizure disorder; orasthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg.FDA pregnancy category C. Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Aricep (Donepezil) 5mg without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

Take Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg can be taken with or without food or milk.Take the Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg regular tablets with a full glass of water.To take donepezil orally disintegrating tablet (Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg ODT):Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel or cut the backing from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the backing or you may damage the tablet.Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. After the tablet dissolves completely, drink a glass of water.Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg is usually taken at bedtime. Follow your doctor's instructions. Store Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg at room temperature away from moisture and heat.See also: Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg dosage in more detail

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss your doses for more than 7 days in a row, call your doctor before taking the medicine again.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, drooling, sweating, blurred vision, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:black, bloody, or tarry stools;coughing up blood or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;painful or difficult urination;seizure (black-out or convulsions);Less serious side effects may include:nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;loss of appetite;muscle cramps;tired feeling; orsleep problems (insomnia).This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. 

Less serious side effects include:

More serious side effects may demand immediate emergency medical attention and include:

Before taking Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:atropine (Donnatal, and others);belladonna;carbamazepine (Tegretol);clidinium (Quarzan);dexamethasone (Decadron);dicyclomine (Bentyl);glycopyrrolate (Robinul);hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others);mepenzolate (Cantil);methantheline (Provocholine);methscopolamine (Pamine), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);phenytoin (Dilantin);propantheline (Pro-Banthine);quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others);rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater);a fungal antibiotic such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), or itraconazole (Sporanox); oraspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Aricep  (Donepezil) 5mg. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.