Aricept helps treat the symptoms associated with Alzheimer s disease or dementia.

Aricept is not a cure for Alzheimer s disease but offers improvement in memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. Benefits are usually greater for mild to moderate symptoms seen in the early stages of the disease.

In the brain (both healthy and diseased) acetylcholine is constantly being manufactured and broken down. Reduced levels of acetylcholine in the brain appear to be feature of Alzheimer s disease.

Aricept is a specific and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase.

Aricept slows the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, thereby increasing the amount of available.

Alzheimer s disease is a progressive form of dementia. The main symptoms include

• loss of short term memory,
• changes in personality,
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Adults
The usual starting dose of Aricept is 5 milligrams once a day at bedtime for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Do not increase the dose during this period unless directed. The doctor may then change the dosage to 10 milligrams once a day if response to the drug warrants it.

Children
The safety and effectiveness of Aricept have not been established in children.

If you miss a Aricept dose
If you miss a dose of Aricept , take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your

• some antibiotics (such as erythromycin and clarithromycin)
• some antidepressants (examples: fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
• some drugs for treating diabetes (pioglitazone, troglitazone)
• atropine
• benztropine
• bosentan
• carbamazepine
• dexamethasone
• dicyclomine
• digoxin
• galantamine
• glycopyrrolate
• hyoscyamine
• ipratropium
• itraconazole or ketoconazole
• medications for motion sickness (examples:
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Most Important Fact about Aricept
To maintain any improvement, Aricept must be taken regularly. If Aricept is stopped, its benefits will soon be lost. It can take up to 3 weeks for any positive effects to appear.

Aricept precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Aricept should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of Aricept during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell the doctor as soon as possible. Only the doctor can determine if it is safe to continue Aricept .

More common side effects of Aricept may include:

• diarrhea,
• fatigue,
• insomnia,
• loss of appetite,
• muscle cramps,
• nausea, and
• vomiting

Less common side effects of Aricept may include:

• changes in vision or balance
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