This is the generic name for Aricept. My wife has been taking it for 3 years. It’s supposed to help with memory issues. I don’t know if it does, but I’m not going to have her stop it to find out.
My hubby took it for years....whether it helped slow the Lewy Body Dementia down or not remains a mystery. However, as the disease progressed, Aricept was obviously not working and it was stopped to see if his enhanced anxiety and aggressive behavior would lessen. These behaviors did seem to become less with the stoppage of this medication.
My wife has just been diagnosed with AD, although right now our memory issues seem to be about the same. Further visits with doctor and PET scan and more complete neuropsychological testing in February. For now based on blood test results that were positive, not in a good way, doctor started her on Donepezil.
Just trying to educate myself, and her, to hopefully know what steps to take to help.
Depending on the dose, there may be some unpleasant side effects. Weird dreams, diarrhea, etc. My husband has been on the lowest dose for a couple of years. Because of the dreams, we moved to taking it in the AM and because of the diarrhea, can't move up in the dosage. I can't say whether it's helpful, but I am also not willing to take him off it to find out... :).
Thank you. Hope all goes well. My wife just started on it. It is only at 5 mg. Only reaction so far may be her skin breaking out on her face. But that is getting better and may not be related. Hoping for the best. Just starting this journey.
Donepezil is not a treatment for slowing the progression of Dementia, it is more a drug to help improve attention, memory and other related issues.
This is from a website
What is Donepezil?
Donepezil (brand name Aricept) may be used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil can help improve attention, memory, behavior, and ability to do daily activities in dementia patients.
Donepezil is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease; it may help improve symptoms, but the condition will progress over time, even in people who take this medicine. Research has determined that donepezil is effective in mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.
Donepezil improves the function of nerve cells in the brain and works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah SEET il KOE leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for memory, thinking, and reasoning. Donepezil is from the drug class cholinesterase inhibitors.
Donepezil was FDA-approved on November 25, 1996, under the brand name Aricept. Generic donepezil became available in 2009.
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My husband has taken it for years. Supposedly it helps slow Alzheimer’s progression.
Thanks for your reply. Has it helped?
This is the generic name for Aricept. My wife has been taking it for 3 years. It’s supposed to help with memory issues. I don’t know if it does, but I’m not going to have her stop it to find out.
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1 ReactionMy hubby took it for years....whether it helped slow the Lewy Body Dementia down or not remains a mystery. However, as the disease progressed, Aricept was obviously not working and it was stopped to see if his enhanced anxiety and aggressive behavior would lessen. These behaviors did seem to become less with the stoppage of this medication.
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1 Reaction@paul55 How would I know? Just have to trust the best advice.
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2 ReactionsMy husband has been on it for many years. The neurologist says it will slow down dementia but not cure it. I don't know how to evaluate it though.
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3 ReactionsMy wife has just been diagnosed with AD, although right now our memory issues seem to be about the same. Further visits with doctor and PET scan and more complete neuropsychological testing in February. For now based on blood test results that were positive, not in a good way, doctor started her on Donepezil.
Just trying to educate myself, and her, to hopefully know what steps to take to help.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsDepending on the dose, there may be some unpleasant side effects. Weird dreams, diarrhea, etc. My husband has been on the lowest dose for a couple of years. Because of the dreams, we moved to taking it in the AM and because of the diarrhea, can't move up in the dosage. I can't say whether it's helpful, but I am also not willing to take him off it to find out... :).
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4 ReactionsThank you. Hope all goes well. My wife just started on it. It is only at 5 mg. Only reaction so far may be her skin breaking out on her face. But that is getting better and may not be related. Hoping for the best. Just starting this journey.
-
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDonepezil is not a treatment for slowing the progression of Dementia, it is more a drug to help improve attention, memory and other related issues.
This is from a website
What is Donepezil?
Donepezil (brand name Aricept) may be used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil can help improve attention, memory, behavior, and ability to do daily activities in dementia patients.
Donepezil is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease; it may help improve symptoms, but the condition will progress over time, even in people who take this medicine. Research has determined that donepezil is effective in mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.
Donepezil improves the function of nerve cells in the brain and works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah SEET il KOE leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for memory, thinking, and reasoning. Donepezil is from the drug class cholinesterase inhibitors.
Donepezil was FDA-approved on November 25, 1996, under the brand name Aricept. Generic donepezil became available in 2009.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions