Donepezil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• sun...
• January 23, 2019

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom is on donepezil and Namenda. Last Christmas 2017, my mom was doing terrible. Very depressed, memory was getting noticeably worse. We couldn't get her to leave the house. My brother and I decided at 73 years old, her time was ending. Mom had suffered many losses in her life, including the loss of a son who died at 21, her husband who passed at age 52, and 2 sisters (1 in her late 40s, the other in her early 60s). Mom has made a remarkable recovery. She no longer needs a walker, is eager to go everywhere, her mood and zest for life are amazing. We've seen a drastic improvement in her memory. She had told the doctor she was having memory problems. I recently started looking up her meds. Maybe there was a good reason I hadn't looked them up before. Upon reading reviews, truly I would have been scared. I have no idea if it's because of these meds but feel truly blessed to be sharing more precious time with my mom. She actually calls my husband and me to check up on us if we're sick. Also calls to see when we are available to take her out."

• Car...
• May 18, 2016

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "My mother (74) was prescribed Aricept when she was diagnosed about 5 years ago. She had very few side effects and seemed less anxious. However, there was no noticeable change in cognitive function, which has deteriorated fairly rapidly, especially in the last 2 years. It is hard to say whether the drug had any positive effect as I will never know what my mother would have been like without it. It may or may not have slowed the progression of the Alzheimer's."

• My ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2015

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "My 82-year-old dad went on this med to slow the memory loss. It did seem to help that, but we have had uncharacteristic behavioral issues where he can't keep his hands off the ladies. So much that it is a problem in the assisted living memory care unit he lives in, and now he has to go to a behavioral place to change his medicine. Sheesh!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

For Alzheimer's Disease "My poor mom was up all night with bad nightmares and talking all night in a state of confusion. Today she is like a zombie with no appetite and refuses to get out of bed because she is so tired. I should have looked up the side effects first. I am livid with the doctor that prescribed this."

• dau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2015

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother was on this and had negative side effects, diarrhea, weakness, changes in behaviors, combative, using foul language, on 10 mg. I complained, and the MD took her off, then put her back on 3 months later, same side effects. I am disgusted at how these meds are prescribed, and the side effects are WORSE than the behaviors. I am an RN, and this is abuse of our elder patients."

• San...
• November 4, 2015

For Alzheimer's Disease "Mum has first stage Alzheimer's and was put on drug 8 weeks ago. She has gone from someone who was pleasantly confused, is now incontinent, won't eat or drink, sleeping all the time, and is now in hospital because she was found unresponsive! Had been examined by 4 doctors within the 8 weeks who all said she must stay on the drug! Even though it was blatantly obvious to the family, it was the drug causing the symptoms! The drug was stopped 2 days ago and she is alert and talking."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2019

Donepezil "I came on this site to try to find out more information on Aricept for use for my issues (overactive brain) and not dementia. I came to find out I was wrong, no one talked about my issues. The doctor told my husband it was generally given for dementia, but it may help me. That is the best decision a doctor has ever made for me. I am a new person. Prior to taking this, I felt like I didn't ever sleep, and when I did, my mind was racing, and I could feel my arms moving all of the time. He gave me 5 mg for 1 month, and the second month, which starts tomorrow, I go onto 10 mg. I pray it keeps working this good. This drug has saved my life and my marriage."

• ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "My MD tagged my DL (driver's license) when she prescribed this med. When I asked why, she said, 'We report every prescription of this med to the DMV.' So (age 71), I took the written test and am scheduled for the road test. Proctor said, 'You did VERY well!' on the written test! Not too worried about the driving test (my 40-year-old niece says, 'You drive better than I do!'). So be forewarned. Drug well tolerated, no issues. Is it doing anything good? Who knows?"

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2014

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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 it at night and had vivid dreams. He rather enjoyed them as most included friends and family from years ago. Dr. instructed him to take the medicine in the morning as to not interrupt his sleep. The medicine also causes diarrhea. Modifying diet to try to compensate. Want to stay on the medicine in hopes of slower decline."

• Lor...
• November 30, 2015

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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."

• lil...
• September 20, 2019

For Lewy Body Dementia "My mum was started on 5 mg donepezil 2 months ago. Prior to taking it, her speech was poor, she had a very low mood and very bad memory loss. She also had some paranoia and delusions. She was declining rapidly. For the first few days on the new tablet, I felt she was getting worse with increased confusion, poor appetite, muscle cramps, and tinnitus at night. I encouraged her to continue for a few weeks. After week 1, she began to improve. Her speech improved as did her mood and her psychiatric symptoms have stopped. She is smiling again, and although her memory is still poor, she is more independent with self-care. I feel this drug has certainly halted her decline. It was increased to 10 mg but was reduced again as side effects were too severe. The 5 mg dose is working wonders, thank goodness. I suggest not giving up on this too soon and expect some teething problems. Find the best dose for your loved one. It may help you get back some precious quality interaction with them."

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2023

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "The neurologist prescribed Namenda. Too many side effects. Went on Aricept and was more confused, diarrhea, stomach cramps, resting heartbeat 90, couldn't sleep. Excessive crying was frightening. No reason to cry. I came home one night and was planning a suicide attempt, crying and exhausted. I stopped taking it immediately. I have never had a thought about suicide. Very frightening. I'm a 66-year-old woman with dementia. I did not experience anything positive with this medication."

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

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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 for 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 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."

• rgb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2017

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "I am an 81-year-old physician. About 3 years ago, I began realizing some cognitive decline. Asked my physician to let me try Aricept (donepezil). Started on the 5 mg for one week, then 10 mg a day for one week, then 10 mg twice a day. When the new 23 mg dose came out, I switched to 23 mg at bedtime. I believe there has been a definite improvement. Some leg cramps at night, 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 within a few weeks, I and my wife and friends noticed a decline in my cognition. I have since restarted with good improvement."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "My first experience with donepezil 10 mg was nasty. It affected my sleep in a bad way and made my memory, speech, and basic cognitive functions worse, and I was continuously lethargic. After 2 months on the drug, I can honestly say I feel a huge difference (for the better). There is a big improvement in both my memory and speech, and it's really made a difference in my day-to-day life and daily tasks."

• Tah...
• August 24, 2017

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "At 78, my husband started on Aricept 10 mg for increasing symptoms of Alzheimer's. He did well for a long time. Memory improved. When he started to decline again months later, he was put on Namzaric. Did great again for many months. He now has had an increase in Aricept. Showed improvement. Again. Wishing this would last."

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

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "Our mother was put on 10 mg Aricept (started with 5 mg), 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."

• Qua...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2020

For Lewy Body Dementia "My wife is 53. She was diagnosed with LBD (Lewy Body Dementia) just over 3 years ago. She was still working effectively as a school psychologist in mid-2017. By December 2018, she could no longer work. She was having hallucinations regularly. She was sleeping 16 to 18 hours per day. Her ability to communicate effectively was maybe a 5 on a 10-point scale. She had a multitude of other symptoms, many of which she is still suffering, and while she could take care of personal hygiene tasks, she required someone to be home with her at all times. In March 2019, she started 5 mg donepezil. She tolerated it well, so we bumped it to 10 mg. By May 2019, her hallucinations were gone, and her ability to communicate was up to 7/10. Today, she is still doing well. I am even able to leave her home alone for the day. She still sleeps a lot and has a lot of Parkinson’s symptoms, but cognitively she is alert. I’m told that donepezil doesn’t work as well with many, but for her, it is a miracle drug."

• yog...
• July 16, 2008

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "After brain surgery, my vocabulary and speech became very bad. A doctor suggested Aricept. I didn't notice any improvement in my speech, but my kids did. Apparently, it works for different things. Because of the surgery, my short-term memory is out. Long-term memory is still there."

• elk...
• December 21, 2008

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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, Alzheimer's 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
• October 27, 2016

For Alzheimer's Disease "My 65-year-old husband started the 1/2 pill regimen 5 weeks ago. Big improvement in conversations, no longer accusing people of stealing from him. Then we had to wait 5 days for the prescription to be refilled. That was a decline, back to talking to imaginary people, aggressive behavior, no energy. Now he is on the whole pill. Wow, almost back to being pleasant. He takes his in the morning, so no sleep interrupted. Energy back, never had a side effect as far as loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea. Early stage of Alzheimer's/dementia. Glad he is doing better, still a day-to-day."

• Thi...
• September 24, 2015

For Alzheimer's Disease "Mom is on this stuff just a short time now. Put on 5 mg, then 10, now to 20 mg/day in an 8-week span. Her confusion got much worse, daily nausea set in no matter if taken with a meal or not, her sleep pattern really changed, and her attitude became combative and nasty. I am weaning her down to 10 mg/day, and if no change, I will take her to 5 mg, then stop altogether. This stuff may work for mild cases of Alzheimer's but not for my mom."

• Lei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "My 82-year-old mum was diagnosed last year with Alzheimer's disease. We really noticed her decreased language skills. She couldn't remember words for things. Could only chat with me for 10 minutes before she had enough. Also tired and not interested in much. Her writing was terrible. She started on 5 mg and is now on 10 mg. She saw people in her room (that weren't there) when she first started, but taking the tablet in the morning helped that. Her language has improved immensely. Chats to me on the phone for an hour with hardly a stumble. Is interested in things again and wrote a list of questions to ask her doctor without a problem. She even renewed her passport and is going on a cruise to New Zealand in November with her friend! Don't know how long it will last, but we will take what we can get! The only thing I've noticed is she gets a bit cross with her partner, especially if he doesn't let her do things herself. She is aware of this."

• ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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 10 MG 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."

• One...
• September 15, 2015

For Lewy Body Dementia "My husband was recently diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, and the worst part was the hallucinations he was having of people coming in the house, threatening him, stealing things, hiding things, and pretending to be me or one of his daughters. There was no dealing with these imaginary people. Our neurologist suggested trying donepezil (Aricept), and we started with 5 mg and moved to 10 mg since he had no side effects. It was amazing: his hallucinations stopped completely by the third day! They have never come back."