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Aricept and Diarrhea: What Users Say

Diarrhea: mentioned by 7 users (14.6%)

Based on user experiences from 48 Aricept reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

vivid dreams 16.7%
diarrhea 14.6%
confusion 10.4%
insomnia 8.3%
constipation 6.3%
cramps 6.3%
hallucinations 6.3%
headaches 6.3%

Reviews for Aricept

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Eve...
  • February 29, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom took this for 4 days, and it was the most horrible experience of all of our lives. She has very mild dementia from stroke and TIAs. We thought perhaps her inability to walk and anxiety could be helped by a neurologist, and this was prescribed. We should have waited for the MRI. She did not eat hardly at all. She cried a lot, and at night, she went completely insane. She thought I was her mother. So, the doctor took her off of it. Then, the 2 weeks of withdrawal with hallucinations, diarrhea, etc., wandering around without clothes. I am afraid she will never come back to herself again. One of the worst things I have ever been through, and I can't imagine how bad it was for her."

1 / 10
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344 Report
  • Bob...
  • November 30, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "I have been on Aricept 5mg at bedtime for 2 months. I was diagnosed just after I turned 60 this summer. I started having trouble finishing a sentence, my mind would go blank. I knew something was wrong. Had the blood test APOE test and scored 3/4 out of 4/4. Aricept seems to be helping me think clearer. The side effects of Diarrhea first happened in the beginning, but went away. Don't give up on this medication. It's helping me."

7 / 10
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162 Report
  • mar...
  • June 16, 2019

For Alzheimer's Disease "Had great hopes for Aricept to help but it left me very weak and sore from nausea and diarrhea 8 hours after taking. I could do very little all day. I weigh less than 100 lbs and think even 5 mg was too much for me. Glad it works for some. I will not take this med again."

1 / 10
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90 Report

Frequently asked questions

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

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."

1 / 10
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23 Report
  • WTF...
  • September 21, 2016

For Alzheimer's Disease "Father was almost himself again with Aricept, but it gave him uncontrollable diarrhea so he won't take it."

5 / 10
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78 Report

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  • sam...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 22, 2019

For Alzheimer's Disease "This was used on one of my parents. Expensive - does not help and caused diarrhea."

1 / 10
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55 Report
  • Lad...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 8, 2025

"Worsened depression, vivid dreams being confused for reality, tiredness, and diarrhea."

7 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.