Donepezil Hydrochloride 5 mg Tablet

Adult dose

As donepezil hydrochloride, administer 5 mg once daily before bedtime. If unusual dreams, nightmares, or sleep disturbances occur, consider taking this medication in the morning. Donepezil concentration reaches a steady state 15 days after administration, and the frequency of adverse reactions may be influenced by the rate of dose escalation. Therefore, administer 5 mg for 4 to 6 weeks to evaluate clinical response. After this period, you may escalate to 10 mg. When increasing to 10 mg daily, administer with caution regarding gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Stopping this medication gradually may reduce effectiveness without causing rebound effects from sudden discontinuation. For underweight females aged 85 and older: Close monitoring is necessary as side effects are more likely to occur. Underweight elderly females should not exceed 5 mg per day. In children: There is no experience of use in pediatric patients.

Child dose

There is no experience of use in pediatric patients.

This medication contains donepezil hydrochloride as the active ingredient and is mainly used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Firstly, this medication should not be used in certain patients. For example, individuals who are allergic to this medication or its components, pregnant women or those who may become pregnant, and patients with genetic problems such as lactose intolerance should not take this medication. Additionally, patients with heart disease or a history of peptic ulcers, those with asthma or lung diseases, and patients with extrapyramidal disorders such as Parkinson's disease should use this medication with caution. This medication may affect heart rate and can exacerbate gastrointestinal conditions or respiratory symptoms. When taking this medication, various side effects may occur. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and insomnia, while severe cases may exhibit heart problems, liver dysfunction, cerebrovascular disorders, and abnormal muscle symptoms. If such symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately. This medication can impact the cardiovascular system, leading to bradycardia, heart block, and QT interval prolongation, which may cause heart rhythm disturbances. Therefore, patients with heart disease may require regular electrocardiogram monitoring. Moreover, this medication increases gastric acid secretion and may worsen peptic ulcer symptoms, so individuals with a history of gastrointestinal diseases should use caution. It can also affect the central nervous system, potentially worsening Parkinson's disease symptoms or triggering seizures, thus requiring caution for patients with neurological disorders. It is safest for pregnant or breastfeeding women not to use this medication. If it must be used, it is advisable to consult a specialist and consider stopping breastfeeding. Safety in children has not been established, and it should not be used in pediatric patients. This medication is metabolized in the liver; thus, patients with impaired liver function need to be cautious during use. In case of overdose, severe symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, hypotension, and respiratory depression. Such cases require immediate medical attention. This medication may interact with other drugs, so it is essential to inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medications that affect the heart, antibiotics, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants. Finally, caution is needed while driving or operating machinery after taking this medication. Fatigue, dizziness, and muscle cramps may occur during the early stages of use, so safety should be considered.

Serious side effects

Hives, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, paleness, severe rash with high fever, blistering, skin peeling, pain in oral/eye mucosa, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, respiratory abnormalities accompanied by cough and fever, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), extreme lethargy, sudden severe headache, thunderclap headache, seizures, confusion, visual disturbances, paralysis, urination

Mild side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• headache
• fatigue
• insomnia
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• muscle pain

This medication should be stored in a sealed container to prevent air exposure and kept at room temperature between 1°C and 30°C. Proper storage helps maintain the medication's effectiveness and prevents deterioration.

Appearance

White round film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle