Donepezil
Donepezil tablets in 5mg and 10mg for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, taken once a day, with larger pack sizes for longer-term use.
All strengths and pack prices
| Strength | Pack | Price | Per tablet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 30 tablets | $34.80 | $1.16 |
| 5mg | 60 tablets | $49.80 | $0.83 |
| 5mg | 90 tablets | $73.80 | $0.82 |
| 5mg | 120 tablets | $92.40 | $0.77 |
| 5mg | 180 tablets | $127.80 | $0.71 |
| 5mg | 360 tablets | $252.00 | $0.70 |
| 10mg | 30 tablets | $52.80 | $1.76 |
| 10mg | 60 tablets | $93.60 | $1.56 |
| 10mg | 90 tablets | $122.40 | $1.36 |
| 10mg | 120 tablets | $140.40 | $1.17 |
| 10mg | 180 tablets | $187.20 | $1.04 |
Details
- Conditions
- Alzheimer's disease
- Therapeutic Class
- Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor
- Pharmacological Class
- Cognitive Enhancer
- Minor Side Effects
- Nausea, Insomnia
- Moderate Side Effects
- Muscle cramps, Fatigue, Diarrhoea
- Dosage Forms
- Tablet
- Administration Route
- Oral
- Originator
- Eisai
- Onset Time
- 2–4 weeks
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature.
- Drug Interactions
- Anticholinergics, Ketoconazole
- Age Restrictions
- Patients with dementia
What you will receive
Donepezil is a generic medicine sold under the name of its active ingredient, Donepezil.
- The manufacturer depends on what is in stock when your order ships.
- It contains the same active ingredient, at the same strength, as the brand-name versions.
FAQ
Which Donepezil strengths and pack sizes can I order?
Donepezil comes as tablets in 5mg and 10mg. The 5mg packs range from 30 to 360 tablets, while 10mg packs range from 30 to 180. Larger packs cost less per tablet.
How is Donepezil delivered to Hong Kong?
Donepezil orders to Hong Kong go by tracked courier, which takes 5 to 9 business days and includes online tracking. Every parcel arrives in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing outside about the contents. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, it is sent again free or refunded.
Which brand names does donepezil have?
A brand name for donepezil is Aricept. Donepezil tablets are a pure generic donepezil product and are not that brand. Here, donepezil can also be bought online as generic Aricept.
How long does donepezil take to work?
Not straight away. Donepezil is judged over weeks and months rather than days, and any change is usually small: a steadier memory, or daily tasks staying manageable for longer. Some people notice a difference within a few weeks, others mainly see that things have not slipped as far as expected.
Why is donepezil taken at night?
Bedtime is the usual slot because feeling sick is the commonest early side effect, and sleeping through the first hours after a tablet makes that easier to put up with. It is not a rule, though; the tablet can go down with or without food, so a bedtime drink is fine.
Can I drink alcohol with donepezil?
A drink now and then is unlikely to cause problems, but alcohol can add to the dizziness, drowsiness and nausea that donepezil sometimes causes, and a heavy night may leave you feeling worse than usual. Keeping to small amounts makes it easier to tell which effects come from the medicine.
What should I do if I forget a dose of donepezil?
Take the missed tablet when you remember, provided the next dose is still hours away. If bedtime is close, leave it out and take one tablet the following evening. Taking two at once to catch up is not worth it, since it can bring on nausea and cramps.
Is the 10mg tablet different from two 5mg tablets?
Both hold the same medicine, so a 10mg tablet is simply twice the dose in one go. The 5mg strength is there so the medicine can be built up gradually over the first month, and early side effects are easier to notice at the lower dose.
About Donepezil
What Donepezil tablets are used for
Donepezil treats the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia. It is used most often in the mild to moderate stages, when memory, concentration and daily routines start to slip. It is not a cure, and it does not stop the condition getting worse, but it can hold some of those symptoms steadier for a time. The tablets come in 5mg and 10mg strengths.
How donepezil works
Acetylcholine is one of the chemical messengers the brain uses for memory and learning, and Alzheimer's disease leaves less of it available. Donepezil blocks acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that normally clears acetylcholine away, so more of the messenger stays active between nerve cells. The change is slow and modest, and it works on symptoms rather than on the disease itself.
Starting on 5mg and moving to 10mg
A bedtime tablet is the usual routine, and a meal or none at all makes no difference. Treatment opens with 5mg, and it stays there for at least a month before a move up to 10mg, the strength many people then settle on. If you order both strengths, keep the strips apart so the two are not mixed up on a tired evening.
Side effects and other medicines
Feeling sick, loose stools, vomiting and going off food are usually the first things people notice, sometimes with tiredness, headache, vivid dreams, cramps or dizziness. They tend to settle after a few weeks at the same dose. Less often, donepezil can slow the pulse, cause fainting or a fit, bring on a stomach ulcer, or make passing urine difficult. Fainting, a very slow pulse, or sudden swelling with breathing trouble need urgent treatment. Medicines that slow the heart, such as beta-blockers and digoxin, add to the pulse-slowing effect, while anticholinergic medicines used for bladder problems, allergies and low mood work against donepezil. Carbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampicin can lower the amount of donepezil in the body.
Donepezil and Aricept
Aricept is the brand name for donepezil, and Aricept is sold here in the same 5mg and 10mg tablets. Same medicine, same form, same once-a-day routine; what differs is the name on the box. The ingredient itself, with its strengths and uses, is covered under donepezil.
Sources
- Donepezil: medicine for dementia - NHS — UK National Health Service
- Medications for Memory, Cognition & Dementia-Related Behaviors | alz.org — alz.org