Adlarity Side Effects

Generic name: donepezil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 31, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Adlarity Side Effects associated with donepezil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Adlarity.

Applies to donepezil: transdermal patch extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating

Serious side effects of Adlarity

Along with its needed effects, donepezil (the active ingredient contained in Adlarity) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking donepezil:

More common side effects

• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting

Less common side effects

• aggressive, angry
• back pain
• bleeding gums
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• confusion
• coughing up blood
• decreased urination
• difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• discouragement
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• feeling sad or empty
• headache
• increase in heart rate
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lightheadedness
• loss of bladder control
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nervousness
• nosebleeds
• paralysis
• pounding in the ears
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• rapid breathing
• red or dark brown urine
• red or black, tarry stools
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sunken eyes
• thirst
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

• anxiety
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin where the patch is applied
• bloating
• blood in the vomit
• chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
• chills
• coma
• constipation
• dark urine
• fever
• general body swelling
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin where the patch is applied
• light-colored stools
• muscle aches, pain, stiffness, or cramps
• pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale skin
• seizures
• severe or continuing stomach pain
• shaking
• sore throat
• sweating
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking donepezil:

Symptoms of overdose

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• increased watering of the mouth
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting
• nausea
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• seizures
• sweating
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Other side effects of Adlarity

Some side effects of donepezil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• accident
• bruising
• large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to donepezil: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating, transdermal film.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were diarrhea, muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and insomnia. Most adverse events are mild in severity and transient in nature.^[Ref]

Frequency of common adverse effects may be influenced by the rate of titration.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea, nausea
• Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, abdominal disturbance, tooth ache, fecal incontinence, gastrointestinal bleeding, bloating, epigastric pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gastric and duodenal ulcers, eructation, gingivitis, flatulence, periodontal abscess, cholelithiasis, drooling, dry mouth, fever sore, gastritis, irritable colon, tongue edema, epigastric distress, gastroenteritis, increased transaminases, hemorrhoids, ileus, increased thirst, jaundice, melena, polydipsia, duodenal ulcer, stomach ulcer, hernia hiatal^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, tremor, paresthesia, ataxia, nervousness, aphasia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizure, bad taste, cerebrovascular accident, intracranial hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack, neuralgia, muscle spasm, dysphoria, gait abnormality, hypertonia, hypokinesia, neurodermatitis, numbness (localized), dysarthria, dysphasia, nystagmus, pacing
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Extrapyramidal symptoms
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Neuroleptic malignant syndrome^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hemorrhage, syncope, vasodilation, atrial fibrillation, hot flashes, hypotension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, angina pectoris, postural hypotension, myocardial infarction, AV block (first degree), congestive heart failure, arteritis, peripheral vascular disease, supraventricular tachycardia, deep vein thrombosis.
• Rare (less than 0.1%): SA block, AV block^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Eczema rash, pruritus, ecchymosis, diaphoresis, urticaria
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dermatitis, erythema, skin discoloration, hyperkeratosis, alopecia, fungal dermatitis, hirsutism, skin striae, night sweats, skin ulcer^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary incontinence, nocturia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria, hematuria, urinary urgency, metrorrhagia, cystitis, enuresis, prostate hypertrophy, pyelonephritis, inability to empty bladder, breast fibroadenosis, fibrocystic breast, mastitis, pyuria, renal failure, vaginitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased weight, dehydration
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased appetite, gout, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, increased lactate dehydrogenase^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramps, arthritis, bone fracture
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle weakness, muscle fasciculation^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Cataract, eye irritation, vision blurred
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry eyes, glaucoma, blepharitis, retinal hemorrhage, conjunctival hemorrhage, spots before eyes, periorbital edema^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, pain, accidental overdose, vertigo, abnormal crying
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Minor increase in serum concentration of muscle creatine kinase, diverticulitis, earache, tinnitus, decreased hearing, otitis externa, otitis media, ear buzzing, motion sickness, herpes zoster, coldness (localized), fever, edema face, abscess, cellulitis, chills, generalized coldness, head fullness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Hallucinations, agitation, aggressive behavior, abnormal dreams, nightmares, delusions, irritability, aggression, increased libido, restlessness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Emotional lability, paranoia, hostility, decreased libido, melancholia, emotional withdrawal, listlessness^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Common cold, influenza, chest pain, dyspnea, sore throat, bronchitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis, post nasal drip, pneumonia, hyperventilation, pulmonary congestion, wheezing, hypoxia, pharyngitis, pleurisy, pulmonary collapse, sleep apnea, snoring^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diabetes mellitus, goiter^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, thrombocythemia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, erythrocytopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Liver dysfunction (including hepatitis)^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• When is the best time to take Aricept (donepezil)?
• How does Aricept work?

Further information

Adlarity side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer