Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease User Reviews (Page 3)

Brand names: Aricept, Adlarity, Aricept ODT

Donepezil has an average rating of 5.0 out of 10 from a total of 71 reviews for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. 39% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 42% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Donepezil

Deser...
Taken for less than 1 month
March 19, 2024

"I am writing this for my husband. He was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. During our visit with his neurologist last week, I asked if we couldn't consider some kind of therapeutic treatment. The doctor offered Donepezil. I had never heard of it. He started him on 1/2 pill per night for 30 days, then will increase to 1 full 10mg tablet after that. I have to say - I am so extremely impressed so far with how much this medication has helped him. I started noticing a huge difference by the 2nd day, and by the 3rd day, he was smiling again and even making jokes. He hasn't done this for over a year. He is more 'present' and more aware of and interacting with his surroundings. He is talking in complete sentences. He isn't getting angry with the dogs and cats. He is actually engaging in discussions with me again. He was even able to read some simple instructions to put together an item I bought him for Christmas. He hasn't been able to use tools for over a year. I'm so grateful."

10 / 10

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3 Report

Frann...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
July 8, 2018

"My doctor prescribed this for my short term memory from a brain injury. This medication made me sleep too much and I still feeling tired. I also have no appetite and I gained weight. 5'4" and weigh 194 pounds."

1 / 10

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17 Report

Cowbugg
Taken for 1 to 6 months
June 14, 2017

"Dr started my 89 yr old grandmother with 5mg of donepezil for 2 weeks. Noticed no change positive or negative. Doctor increased to 10mg. She's been on it for 3 weeks. My husband and I (even my 11yr old son) feel her memory has gotten worse. The past two days, I decreased her intake to 5mg. I will continue with 5mg for now to see if this improve. But after reading many of the posts, I may stop having her take donepezil."

2 / 10

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18 Report

Frequently asked questions

Anonymous
Taken for 1 to 6 months
May 26, 2023

"Mum has Alzheimer’s and is 91. She was repetitive, incontinent but mobile (could walk unaided), good natured and enjoyed a coffee and crossword with us (only got the easier words but still enjoyed it), read the papers but after just over a month on donepezil 5mg then 10mg she has become vacant, has a grey/yellow complexion, doesn’t eat or drink much, has lost weight and can hardly walk. Only this evening she could not climb the stairs (first time this has happened) and was in pain. She has experienced a real deterioration in the last two weeks so we have stopped her taking it. I hope it’s not too late………."

1 / 10

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4 Report

MJC
Taken for 1 to 6 months
March 17, 2023

"It has not seemed to improve any of my symptoms and today I experienced a severe psychotic episode in the early afternoon. I believe I'm going to discontinue (since this is Friday) and contact my doctor on Monday. If I have improvement this weekend I'll be very thankful to God for my decision. I'll have to discuss with my physician after the weekend."

1 / 10

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4 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Peter
Taken for 2 to 5 years
March 5, 2023

"Absolutely amazing for us. I'm part of a caregiver group so I knew results could vary. Also was told "dont expect to see anything it just slows progress". Well my mother gained amazing results, with no side effects. Could remember 3 weeks back, knew who I was, and 2.5 years later is still very functional. I know it won't last as I'm seeing a decline but she still knows who I am morning and night and doesn't show sundowner symptoms. Thats a huge change than before."

10 / 10

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4 Report

Anonymous
October 5, 2021

"I have been using this for almost two years at a dose of 10mg. I have still forgotten names and have trouble as I will forget a story I was just trying to tell. Seems to be getting worse but I can still exist. for people who have a problem with nightmares - do not take your meds late in the day or at night"

5 / 10

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5 Report

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

Aricept (donepezil) "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."

9 / 10

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1 Report

Seventy...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
August 14, 2022

"My husband was diagnosed with severe dementia 3 months ago and was put on 5 Mg Aricept. He had no side effects whatsoever and within days we noticed a marked improvement on all fronts - chiefly recall and executive functioning. His geriatrician increased the dosage to 10mg daily and whilst there were no side effects there were no further marked changes in his cognition."

10 / 10

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2 Report

Carmen...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
May 15, 2024

"Been taking donepezil for a little over 2 years. Began on a very low dose, had zero side effects. Currently taking the max dose, stools are rather soft but not watery. Often feel very tired, however, I force myself to walk and do light exercise. I have tried to enter Alzheimer's studies but pass all cognitive tests with high scores and have not been accepted in any study. Assume medication is helping or I was misdiagnosed."

8 / 10

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0 Report

Cvc-412
Taken for 1 to 6 months
August 30, 2024

"I started taking Donepezil in April 2024 after being diagnosed with dementia. Immediately, I was overwhelmed with muscle cramps, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. I can’t sleep and am always tired. My doctor said I had to continue taking it as prescribed, that I’d get used to it. The dizziness and nausea eased up after 2-3 weeks, but the insomnia and muscle cramps are still terrible. Headaches are less frequent but severe and often keep me mostly homebound. My life has changed so much. I’m so sick that I hardly go out with friends, and they notice my withdrawal. Muscle cramps and unsteady walking have stopped my favorite exercise — cardio drumming. The nausea and vomiting have meant a loss of 12 pounds. My memory seems worse, though I know my family and friends, recall old times and major events. I’m confused about dates, like my wedding."

7 / 10

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Marsha
Taken for 1 to 6 months
July 4, 2024

"I just started donepezil to possibly help with my memory problems and possible slowing of word salad. I also take Mirtazipine once a day. I experienced some problems but about one week to 10 days in, I started having coughing issues which led to extreme hot flashes and sudden onset of nausea. I’m not sure if this is from the donepezil with the Mirtazipine or not. I am 72. I went through the change when I was 40. HELP please. Thank you"

5 / 10

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Tkd
Taken for 5 to 10 years
September 2, 2024

"10 mg helped a 100-year-old with severe Alzheimer’s to lessen episodes of confusion, word-finding difficulty, and difficulty making full sentences. Side effects: low body temperature, slow heart rate, also episodes of arrhythmia, muscle cramps. But once they became very physically ill and couldn’t swallow the pill, we had to stop it. There was then a sharp decline in cognitive ability. Now they don’t know how to swallow the pill. Unfortunately, the ODT tablet is not available here."

8 / 10

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Anonymous
August 2, 2011

Aricept (donepezil) "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."

1 / 10

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169 Report

mother...
August 25, 2009

Aricept (donepezil) "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."

10 / 10

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140 Report

sam
Taken for 2 to 5 years
October 22, 2019

Aricept (donepezil) "This was used on one of my parents. Expensive - does not help and caused diarrhea."

1 / 10

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55 Report

WTFman
September 21, 2016

Aricept (donepezil) "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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76 Report

SKC
October 26, 2015

Aricept (donepezil) "Trouble sleeping, stomach pain, headache, constipation, fever,"

1 / 10

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76 Report

inertia
Taken for less than 1 month
November 12, 2019

Aricept ODT (donepezil) "When I began taking this medication, Aricept, I immediately began having very bad stomach cramps. I made it 4 days, and the cramps were relentless. I had to stop taking this medication."

1 / 10

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42 Report

minerva
Taken for 5 to 10 years
September 7, 2013

Aricept ODT (donepezil) "5 mg helped but eventually it worked less well. 10 mg helped a lot for a long time but I think it stopped working again. No side effects."

9 / 10

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73 Report

Delgado
July 16, 2009

Aricept (donepezil) "Have been using Aricept for approximately 6 years and Namenda also."

8 / 10

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61 Report

Calen...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 27, 2019

"Donepezil made 81 year old mother in mid stage dementia VERY dizzy. A big NOPE from me."

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27 Report

Boudr...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
July 24, 2019

"Donepezil was great at the beginning taking 5 mg for 3 years. Maybe I need to increase the dosage."

8 / 10

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25 Report

Glad
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
January 7, 2022

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

10 / 10

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11 Report

Errol...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
March 27, 2024

"So far my biggest problems include delusions and dreams of an intense nature and very realistic. Scary at times."

8 / 10

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3 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.