Donepezil for Mild Cognitive Impairment User Reviews

• kro...
• 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 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

"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."

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

"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."

• Sun...
• 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 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

"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."

• elk...
• 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, 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."

• mar...
• February 20, 2019

"My boyfriend, who is active, working hard, last generation of French Canadian lumberjacks, during his annual physical, told the doctor about mild memory lapses, probably age-related. The 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 the ER, thank 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 his life. Folks, be careful out there, there are alternatives. Check holistic doctors. Doctors get paid to give meds."

• ber...
• 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 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."

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

"My spouse has been taking donepezil for about three months. I notice some stability in 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 10 mg starting today, 17 Aug 2012. I'm hoping that the medicine will continue to help her."

• crw...
• 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 Trazodone for insomnia. I realized there was a problem, but only lowered Trazodone 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."

• Dai...
• October 22, 2016

"At 53, this has helped 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 administrator. Been very hard. I also take Namenda. These meds have been a blessing to me."

• Gee...
• 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 seizure 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."

• Liz...
• 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 difficulty with words. My family doctor sent me to a neuro, where I got extensive testing. I was diagnosed with ADHD and CMI, so I started with a 5 mg dose of donepezil 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 10 mg. 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."

• Ber...
• 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."

• Joh...
• 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 forgets things now and again, but this made him much worse."

• Nan...
• 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."

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

"Prescribed for short-term memory loss after a stroke focused in the right occipital lobe with trauma to the 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 I switched to taking it in the morning and worked 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."

• Wat...
• January 14, 2018

"85-year-old male was given this drug in the 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."

• Ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2017

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

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

"I had TBI (traumatic brain injury) and have had a 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, serious side effects can happen. I have asthma and COPD, but I know how to treat that with various medications. A rescue inhaler is not enough, but I 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."

• Gam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 26, 2024

"Since I started taking donepezil, I have noticed the following: - Itchy skin all over - Heart 'racing' - Increased anxiety - Confusion - Insomnia - Increased fidgeting - Lack of energy - Difficulty concentrating"

• Don...
• September 14, 2022

"Disrupts sleep. Although effective. Also, dizziness on standing. Switched to huperzine A, 400 mg a day and ohhh my God. I am 100% better. Memory, focus, sleep like a baby. Try huperzine A first. It is the only acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in China, and it is affordable online as an herbal supplement."

• EGR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2022

"I've 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...."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2022

"My 86-year-old mom takes 5 mg 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."