Aricept User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "I was taking Aricept to help preserve my memory, due to the fact that I am 46 years old. I had brain surgery in 2009 to prevent seizures, and now my memory is very bad. I took this medicine for about 2 months, but the vivid dreams and leg cramps were just too much to handle. I am trying a new Alzheimer's medicine now. I believe every medicine has side effects, we just have to pick and choose!"

• KMP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

For Alzheimer's Disease "My dad was diagnosed with dementia and was prescribed Aricept. His demeanor changed to extremely agitated and almost violent. I had to stop giving it to him. It did nothing to help with his memory. I saw only negative impact on him from taking this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2025

For Alzheimer's Disease "I have been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Aricept has been very helpful, and I have easily tolerated this medication. I’m grateful. I am not yet on the larger daily dose, but I am looking forward to that."

• pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2025

For Alzheimer's Disease "I have been taking 5 mg each night with similar side effects as mentioned in other reviews: leg cramps and wild dreams. I've only been on the medicine for 3 months, but I have recognized a positive difference. I still function fairly well with driving, chores, working out, cooking, etc., but definitely can tell that my life is progressively changing. I encourage everyone reading these reviews to support your local and national Alzheimer Association groups. It's a horrible disease and life changer for families."

• stu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2024

For Alzheimer's Disease "Drug has made a significant impact on me. Cleared up most of my confusion, loss of focus, and overall insecurity feelings. I have experienced many of the minor side effects listed in articles, but none that could not be worked through."

• tib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2021

"I am commenting on how well Aricept worked for my sister, who has had major behavioral issues, explosive uncontrollable rage, for the last 11 years following her TBI. These episodes could last up to 12 hours. It has destroyed her life and all of her relationships. She started Aricept 1 month ago. She has been able to calm herself when she starts to lose it, and she has regained the ability to reason while angry, neither of these things were possible before. She has said, 'I can just think better.' There have not been any other medicinal or environmental changes. I have not noticed any side effects. I am not sure if this will last, but it's definitely worth mentioning for anyone experiencing the same issues."

• Ari...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2022

"Aricept was given for brain ischemia following chemotherapy. Describe how the medication helped; the benefits, side effects, dosage: . . . [s/he] could not do her crossword puzzles or balance her checkbook before beginning therapy with a standard dose of Aricept. The gerontologist suspected Alzheimer's and provided the standard dose of Aricept. There was significant improvement. MRIs ordered by her neurologist showed brain ischemia . . . other lab work did not support a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. They continued the prescription of Aricept not for Alzheimer's but because of improved cognitive performance from taking the medication. The brain ischemia, which seems to be a result of chemotherapy for lymphoma, is healing. S/he is living independently but has experienced some urinary control issues at night, which may be a side effect of the medications. The physicians have continued to renew the prescription for the past 3 years . . . the benefits outweigh the negative side effects."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2025

For Alzheimer's Disease "I take a 10 mg tablet of Aricept (donepezil) just before sleep, after having taken 3 mg of melatonin 30 min earlier. I normally fall asleep almost immediately. Usually, I get 6-8 hours of deep sleep and awaken with a clear mind and good memory. Working alone in my academic office, I am now much more productive than last summer, when dementia was destroying my career. Now, only occasionally does my memory fade, mainly when I feel sleepy (cured by a nap). My dementia never occurs during my daily Zumba classes, when I do fast complex choreography with a strong mind and clear memory (like most of the women but none of the older male dancers). Also, I bicycle fast all over Houston streets without getting confused or lost. My dementia does not arise during conversations with friends and neighbors, although I sometimes forget their names. In summary, Aricept has successfully treated most of my dementia at age 76."

• sen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2025

"Trouble sleeping resulting in headaches caused by 'abnormal' dreams listed in less common side effects. For me, the better definition is intense dreams, awaking with a headache and difficulty sleeping thereafter."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2025

"I've been on Aricept 5 mg for two years due to cognitive issues, mainly short-term, from long-term maintenance chemotherapy. It is hard to comment on whether or not this drug has been useful as the memory issues still exist. It is possible that the issues have not worsened because of being on this drug. I will try to update this as moving to a higher dose. Not aware of any side effects from this drug."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother took Aricept 5 mg for one week. She has vivid dreams and cannot tell if they are in fact dreams or real. Also, very tired."

• mot...
• August 25, 2009

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mum has been on this medicine for 8 weeks now and her cognitive thinking and problem solving have become more fluent, she also looks much more alert."

• 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."

• 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."

• SKC...
• October 26, 2015

For Alzheimer's Disease "Trouble sleeping, stomach pain, headache, constipation, fever,"

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2017

"Caused severe agitation and anger."

• Gla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2022

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom is taking donepezil for Parkinson's dementia. It's like a miracle! Her memory has improved really dramatically! It's been working for about a year now."

• Del...
• July 16, 2009

For Alzheimer's Disease "Have been using Aricept for approximately 6 years and Namenda also."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2025

For Alzheimer's Disease "I just took the first dose, and I have not had any side effects yet. I may be OK."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2025

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

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2025

For Alzheimer's Disease "Have had vivid dreams, am experiencing a headache, have not noticed any cognitive benefits, have noticed stomach upset noises, loss of appetite."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2024

"Causes intolerable itching. I gave it a good trial and it did not work for me. It was easy to use but I had no improvement while using it."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2024

For Alzheimer's Disease "Shortness of breath, less energy. Not sure it's helping."