Donepezil and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Den...
• November 24, 2007

Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease "My father has been on Aricept for 6 weeks and has become delusional especially at night. My mother stopped the medication because he wasn't sleeping at all at night and thus neither was she. I don't see this listed as a side effect and don't know if the change in my father's behavior is related to the Aricept or just increasing severity of his dementia. Will have to wait and see if things get better now that he's off the drug."

• Lor...
• November 30, 2015

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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."

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

Donepezil 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."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "My first experience with donepezil 10 mg was nasty. It affected my sleep in a bad way and made my memory, speech, and basic cognitive functions worse, and I was continuously lethargic. After 2 months on the drug, I can honestly say I feel a huge difference (for the better). There is a big improvement in both my memory and speech, and it's really made a difference in my day-to-day life and daily tasks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2012

For Alzheimer's Disease "Our mother has been on this medicine for some time now and I'm not sure if it's helping or not. She gets angry all the time and sees things and people. She wants to go home even when she is home and doesn't understand why she can't see her family. She seems to be stuck at this stage and isn't moving forward (not getting better, not getting worse). She is losing weight, not sleeping, and falling a lot. I don't know what to do: take her off or leave her on it."

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

For Mild Cognitive Impairment "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"

• 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."

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

Donepezil "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."

• SKC...
• October 26, 2015

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

• Don...
• July 30, 2024

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