Donepezil and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Map...
• October 7, 2016

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "Several years of vascular dementia and growing increasingly worse. Now, my 89-year-old mother started Aricept during the last month. The first day she was like a new person, clear thinking with memory, energy, and motivated. The second day much less, and she was dizzy and constipated by the 6th day. Now, appearing more confused than without the drug. Not a good experience, will be moving on."

• jka...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "My husband was put on donepezil about 5 years ago. He was started on 10 mgs, but he started to be unsteady and fell a few times. He was then put on to 5 mgs and has been on this nearly the whole time. However, he was diagnosed with asthma and then COPD. He was extremely unwell for over a year, and I thought he was going to die. I consulted with his doctor, and we agreed we could try stopping the donepezil. That was nearly a year ago. Although he still takes medication once a day for the COPD, it has never come back. His memory is poor, but he is still active, and thankfully, no recurrence of the breathing problems."

• Cvc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2024

For Alzheimer's Disease "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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 5, 2025

For Alzheimer's Disease "I am an 82-year-old with late onset Alzheimer's. I have taken 10 mg donepezil since 11/2023. Memory decline has been slow, and other functions - such as driving, DIY, etc. - have shown little deterioration. Dreams, never a previous issue, have been unpleasant and unsettling. They centered on latent fears about ultimately losing connection with everyone, concerns that were previously transient and peripheral. After reading other contributors' comments, I decided to take donepezil in the mornings instead of pre-bedtime. The threatening dreams, in various scenarios, disappeared, a great relief. The possibility of dizziness never materialized, so it proved a very beneficial change."

• ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2012

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "Nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, memory loss worsening."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2019

For Alzheimer's Disease "Donepezil made 81-year-old mother in mid-stage dementia VERY dizzy. A big NOPE from me."

• Don...
• July 30, 2024

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "Dizziness, thirst, confusion, weight loss, constipation, trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of appetite."