Donepezil for Mild Cognitive Impairment User Reviews

• kroner
• July 29, 2011

Aricept ODT (donepezil) "Within 3 days of a 5 mg dose, my husband was a different person with a zest for life and stopped his 'shuffle' walk to a brisk walking pace. His mind is clear to tackle his income tax return, though his short-term memory is still impaired, but we can live with that."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2014

"Husband diagnosed 1/2014 at age 57. Put on donepezil at that time. Doesn't seem to have made much of a difference for him. His memory is not the issue as much, he has problems with judgement, spatial, sequencing, and vision. When first prescribed he was taking at night and had vivid dreams. He rather enjoyed them as most included friends family from years ago. Dr instructed he take the medicines in the morning as to not interrupt his sleep. The medicines also cause diarrhea. Modifying diet to try to compensate. Want to stay on the medicine in hopes of slower decline."

• Lorra...
• November 30, 2015

"My husband took this drug for 3-4 weeks and got worse and worse that we took him off of it. Horrible drug! He began to hallucinate, could not sleep, memory was worse, loss of appetite, talking in his sleep all night long, started falling, just awful side effects. Would never want him on this drug again."

• Julia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2015

"Our mother was put on 10mg Aricept (started with 5mg) and after 2 months, had a completely different personality and had lost 16 pounds. (She started at 114 - lost almost 15% of her body weight.) It was AWFUL!! She had no appetite, was depressed, angry, and just a completely different person. I have read many terrible reviews now that we have been through this experience. Stay away from Aricept."

• rgburn
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2017

"I am an 81 yo physician. About 3 years ago began realizing some cognitive decline. Asked my physician to let me try Aricept (donepezil).. Started on the 5mg for one week then 10mg a day for one week then 10mg twice a day. When the new 23mg dose came out I switched to 23mg at bedtime. I believe there has been a definite improvement. Some leg cramps at nite, but with increased water intake and time this has decreased. Do have softer stools but not diarrhea. Bad dreams have been a problem but have slowly decreased. About 9 months ago I decided to stop the medicine to see if it would make a difference and with in a few weeks I and my wife and friends noticed a decline in my cognition. I have since restarted with good improvement."

• Sunny...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2019

"I was prescribed this medication for memory loss and overall cognitive functioning. I am only 43, but I have bipolar disorder and my tranquilizing meds were ruining my mental capacity. I read it takes a few months to work, but I’ve been on this 2 weeks and can see a real improvement. I feel so much sharper and have been able to retain and recall information more easily. It doesn’t ‘hurt my brain’ to think anymore. Side effects have included an increased thirst and occasionally mild stomach cramping. I’m on a lot of meds that all have side effects so this isn’t an issue for me."

• marus...
• February 20, 2019

"My boyfriend who is active, working hard, last generation of French canadian lumberjacks, during his annual physical told doctor about mild memory laps, probably age related, doctor diagnosed him immediately with dementia and gave this terror drug. My boyfriend took 10 mg twice at breakfast, he got sicker and sicker, he could not function, threw up, it felt like they messed with his head. Also he was nauseous, light headed etc. We went to ER, thanks goodness, they said adverse reaction, plenty of fluid to pee it out, but he is still not well. So he switched doctors immediately, it could have cost him life. Folks, be careful out there, there are alternatives. Check holistic doctors. Doctors get paid to give meds."

• elkoj...
• December 21, 2008

"As a result of exposure to pesticide and living with depression (on & off for years), I began to have problems with memory, concentration, distractibility and constantly losing and misplacing things. After much testing, Alzeihmers was ruled out and my diagnosis is Mild Cognitive Impairment. Aricept helped immensely. I still contend with the above problems, except to a much lesser degree than before I started taking Aricept. After about 8-months, the medicine seemed a little less effective but it still keeps me functioning."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2012

"My spouse has been taking donepezil for about about three months. I notice some stability on her memory. The medicine does prevent her from sleeping normally. I notice she is restless for about two to three hours after taking it. She will be taking Aricept 10mg starting today 17 Aug 2012. I'm hoping that the medicine will continue to help her."

• berta
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

"I am 71. No functional impairment, but with a family history of, not dementia, but short term memory loss. Went to a "memory clinic" to see if there was anything I could/should do to guard against my mother's fate. They prescribed donepezil 10MG for "mild dementia" and notified the DMV. Driving history: no moving violations and no collisions, not even a bump -- but hey. When I inquired why? the MD said they notify the DMV of EVERY prescription of donepezil. Maybe this is the law, but be forewarned. PS: am I getting any benefit? Hard to know, since I didn't have any issues, was looking for **preventive** measures available. OTOH no neg effects, either."

• Daisy...
• October 22, 2016

"At 53 this has help me so much to stop me from losing any more of my memory. Due to Strokes, Brain aneurysms, and many surgeries from blocked arteries. I am a 24 year Disabled Medical Adminastrator. Been very hard. I also take Namenda. These Meds have been a Blessing to me."

• crwri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2018

"I am lucky to have survived this medication. The prescribing doctor did not bother to research drug reactions and left me on Trazadone for insomnia. I realized there was a problem, but only lowered Trazadone from 300 mg to 100 mg because of intense insomnia. I was in the nuthouse 3 times on this drug, and no one questioned Aricept as the cause. I was taken off Aricept in May of 2017 for muscle spasms and have been fine ever since."

• Geeg
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2018

"My husband has been on Aricept 5 mg nightly for about 6 weeks for memory loss related to anesthesia during past surgery. He has not felt well since he started. He has cramps in his feet at night, profuse sweating, fatigue and weakness. Lightheaded when he stands and passed out and had a siezure 2 days ago. His memory loss and anxiety actually got worse on the med. I took him off the med today and contacted the doctor who agrees with my decision. We will wait now and see if he improves. It’s very frightening what these meds can do to your physical and mental well being"

• John
• February 28, 2021

"Awful pills my dad took them for 4 days after which we knew he couldn't continue with them. He was so out of it stumbling around without his glasses on and he is nowhere near as bad normally. He forget things now and again but this made him much worse."

• Bert
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2018

"A friend was commenced on this drug and almost immediately experienced a rapid decline in cognitive impairment. Her short term memory, her orientation to place and time both seemed to worsen and she was notably more anxious."

• Lizzy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2020

"I have bipolar disorder and am 50 years old. I noticed I had zero recall, disorientation, and difficult with words. My family doc sent me to a Neuro where I got extensive testing. I was diagnosed with ADHD and CMI so I started with 5mg dose of donepezi and noticed a huge difference within 2-3 weeks. I had some mild leg cramping and diarrhea. After 2 months and a Neuro visit we increased to 10mg. I have been on it for one month. I do not notice any difference except now I am having dreams, I haven’t had a dream in over a year, and they may not be pleasant. I talk to Neuro in another month but so far this medicine is great."

• Nino
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2023

"Prescribed for short term memory loss after a stroke focused in right occipital lobe with trauma to temporal and thalamus. Was very forgetful, even forgetting the beginning of a sentence before I finished it. Neurologist was very careful about prescribing, had me take it at night. My memory improved and my cognitive abilities seemed to revert to normal, allowing me to return to work at the high level I was previously performing. I would fade intellectually in the afternoon so switched to taking it in the morning and work normally all day. I am a 70 year old Southern European descent male taking 5 mg. No side effects so I am luckier than some others."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2019

"I had TBI (traumatic brain injury) and have had worse and worse time getting along in doing daily things, this medication does help some. It is much better than nothing at all. I know that depending on what other medications and conditions that serious side effects can happen. I have asthma and COPD, but know how to treat that with various medications. Rescue inhaler is not enough, but have other medications that are quite effective including Combivent. There are many interactions, and I have been told by others that even genetics can cause adverse reactions with this medication. So far the worst thing has been headaches, and with this it is important to pay attention to the drug interactions to avoid problems. The other thing that I like about this medication is the cost, as unlike some of the other medications this is very inexpensive."

• Nanett...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

"I have a Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and donepezil helps to be in control of my memories. This medication is working so far. I don't have to write everything down. It has helped and was prescribed by my Neurologist. Thank you."

• Watch...
• January 14, 2018

"85 year male was given this drug in hospital by dr. Two pills and he turned into an absolute zombie. Slurred speech and hallucinations. We stopped it immediately. 104 hour half life. Worst week of our lives."

• Benbo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2017

"Awful experience ! Nightmare Dreaming++ fell out of bed & hit my head causing bleeding. Had to see GP. Not to take it. Now off the drug completely & feeling much better. Thought to have dementia a year ago but diagnosis is now suspect."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2024

"Donepezil works well in the morning. In the afternoon, it changes and makes me feel bloated, and sometimes I have a fast heart rate. I go to bed and wake up constantly, making it hard to get back to sleep."

• Quiet...
• January 17, 2022

"My husband started taking it for what the Dr. diagnosed as dementia in a 30 min meeting. He actually feels he is more alert and thinks more clearly. I have noticed it, too, but mild memory loss remains. I read someone said the doctor notified DMV. This happened to us as well , without us knowing until a letter arrived. Also testing by a neuropsychologist diagnosed MCI later. A warning to talk with Dr. before proceeding with a psychiatrist. The side effects seem minimal--some leg cramping during day. He is taking 5 mg. at bedtime."

• Rose
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2022

"My 86 yr old mom takes 5mg donepezil for mild dementia. I noticed a change within a day of taking it. This has been a lifesaver for her. She is back to her old self. Living independently, cooking, working on crossword puzzles and doing housework."

• EGRI
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2022

"Ive been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI and started with 5 mg Donepezil. Within a week, I started having constant headaches - mainly in my temples, similar to sinus type headaches but my usual sinus meds didn't touch it. I can't say whether I felt I was doing any better on the memory side but it sure is hard to live with a constant headache. When I stop taking it, I feel MUCH better. but after a week off, I go back on the daily dosage and suffer through the headaches for a few weeks...."