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Aricept ODT Side Effects

Generic name: donepezil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 10, 2024.

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

Applies to donepezil: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

Other dosage forms:

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This is necessary to allow dose adjustments and to reduce any unwanted effects.

Before you have any kind of surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine. Taking donepezil (the active ingredient contained in Aricept ODT) together with certain medicines that are used during surgery or dental or emergency treatments may increase the effects of those medicines and cause unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy or drowsy, to have blurred vision, or to have problems with clumsiness or unsteadiness. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, and able to see clearly.

Some people who have used this medicine developed problems such as nausea, severe vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you have any concerns.

Tell you doctor right away if you have bloody or black tarry stools, constipation, severe stomach pain, or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. These may be symptoms of stomach or bowel bleeding.

If you think that you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of this medicine may cause convulsions (seizures) or serious effects on your heart and your breathing. Signs of overdose include increased watering of mouth, increased sweating, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, severe nausea, severe vomiting, slow heartbeat, and troubled breathing.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Aricept ODT

Along with its needed effects, donepezil 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking donepezil:

More common side effects

  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle cramps
  • nausea
  • trouble in sleeping
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting

Less common side effects

  • abnormal dreams
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • fainting
  • frequent urination
  • headache
  • joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  • mental depression
  • pain
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • weight loss

Rare side effects

  • black, tarry stools
  • bloating
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • blurred vision
  • burning, prickling, or tingling sensations
  • cataract
  • chills
  • clumsiness or unsteadiness
  • confusion
  • cough
  • decreased urination
  • difficult or painful urination
  • dryness of mouth
  • eye irritation
  • fever
  • flushing of skin
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • high or low blood pressure
  • hives
  • hot flashes
  • increase in sexual desire or performance
  • increased heart rate and breathing
  • increased sweating
  • increased urge to urinate during the night
  • irregular heartbeat
  • itching
  • loss of bladder control
  • loss of bowel control
  • mood or mental changes, including abnormal crying, aggression, agitation, delusions, irritability, nervousness, or restlessness
  • nasal congestion
  • pain in chest, upper stomach, or throat
  • problems with speech
  • runny nose
  • severe thirst
  • shortness of breath
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • sunken eyes
  • tightness in chest
  • tremor
  • troubled breathing
  • wheezing
  • wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

  • back, leg, or stomach pains
  • bleeding gums
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • coma
  • convulsions
  • dark urine
  • difficulty breathing
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • fatigue
  • general body swelling
  • general tiredness and weakness
  • high fever
  • increased thirst
  • indigestion
  • light-colored stools
  • muscle pain or cramps
  • nausea and vomiting
  • nosebleeds
  • pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • pale skin
  • rash
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • seizures
  • severe muscle stiffness
  • severe nausea
  • slow or irregular heartbeat
  • stomach pain
  • sweating
  • swelling of face, ankles, or hands
  • tiredness
  • unusually pale skin
  • upper right abdominal or stomach pain
  • yellow eyes and skin

Symptoms of overdose

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

Nervous system

Cardiovascular

Dermatologic

Genitourinary

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Ocular

Other

Psychiatric

Respiratory

Endocrine

Hematologic

Hepatic

See also:

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Aricept (donepezil)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

4. Rogers SL, Friedhoff LT (1996) "The efficacy and safety of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease: results of a US multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial." Dementia, 7, p. 293-303

5. Lam W (2002) "Pharmacological treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease." Med J Aust, 176, 297; discussion 297-8

6. Mihara M, Ohnishi A, Tomono Y, Hasegawa J, Shimamura Y, Yamazaki K, Morishita N (1993) "Pharmacokinetics of E2020, a new compound for Alzheimer's disease, in healthy male volunteers." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 31, p. 223-9

7. Bourke D (1998) "Possible association between donepezil and worsening Parkinson's disease." Ann Pharmacother, 32, p. 610-11

8. Babic T, Zurak N (1999) "Convulsions induced by donepezil." J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat, 66, p. 410

9. Amouyal-Barkate K, Bagheri-Charabiani H, Montastruc JL, Moulias S, Vellas B (2000) "Abnormal movements with doneprzil in Alzheimer disease." Ann Pharmacother, 34, p. 1347

10. Miyaoka T, Seno H, Yamamori C, Inagaki T, Itoga M, Tsubouchi K, Horiguchi J (2001) "Pisa syndrome due to a cholinesterase inhibitor (Donepezil): A case report." J Clin Psychiatry, 62, p. 573-4

11. Kawashima T, Yamada S (2002) "Delirium caused by donepezil: a case study." J Clin Psychiatry, 63, p. 250-1

12. Onofrj M, Thomas A (2003) "Severe worsening of parkinsonism in Lewy body dementia due to donepezil." Neurology, 61, p. 1452

13. Rozzini L, Ghianda D, Trabucchi M, Padovani A (2004) "Severe worsening of parkinsonism in Lewy body dementia due to donepezil." Neurology, 63, 1543-4; author reply 1543-4

14. Bryant CA, Ouldred E, Jackson SHD, Kinirons MT (1998) "Drug points: Purpuric rash with donepezil treatment." BMJ, 317, p. 787

15. Hashimoto M, Imamura T, Tanimukai S, Kazui H, Mori E (2000) "Urinary incontinence: an unrecognised adverse effect with donepezil." Lancet, 356, p. 568

16. Iraqi A, Hughes TL (2009) "An unusual case of nightmares with galantamine." J Am Geriatr Soc, 57, p. 565

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Aricept ODT 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.