Aricept Side Effects

Generic name: donepezil

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

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

Applies to donepezil: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

Other dosage forms:

• transdermal patch extended release

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) 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

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:

Symptoms of overdose

• convulsions (seizures)
• increased sweating
• increased watering of mouth
• increasing muscle weakness
• low blood pressure
• severe nausea
• severe vomiting
• slow heartbeat
• troubled breathing

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]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Can Aricept be stopped abruptly?
• What are 7 key Aricept side effects to watch out for?
• When is the best time to take Aricept (donepezil)?
• How long does it take for Aricept to work?
• How does Aricept work?

Further information

Aricept 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