Donepezil 5 mg Tablet (Donepezil Hydrochloride Hydrate)

Adult dose

Donepezil Hydrochloride is given at a dose of 5 mg once a day before bedtime. If unusual dreams, nightmares, or sleep disturbances occur, morning dosing may be considered. Donepezil reaches steady-state concentration after 15 days, and the frequency of adverse reactions may be affected by the rate of increase in dosage, so the 5 mg dose should be administered for 4 to 6 weeks. After evaluating clinical response during this period, the dose can be increased to 10 mg.

Child dose

There is no experience in using this medication in children.

This medication contains Donepezil Hydrochloride Hydrate as the main ingredient and is used for the treatment of symptoms of Alzheimer-type dementia. This medication should not be used by certain patients, for example, persons who are allergic to this medication or similar substances, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, and patients with genetic issues such as lactose intolerance should not take this medication. Patients with heart disease or a history of peptic ulcers, patients with a history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and patients with extrapyramidal disorders such as Parkinson's disease should exercise special caution when using this medication. Additionally, this medication contains a pigment called Tartrazine, and caution should be exercised in individuals with an allergy to this substance. During the use of this medication, serious side effects such as decreased heart rate or arrhythmias, peptic ulcers, liver dysfunction, cerebral hemorrhage, extrapyramidal symptoms, severe muscle pain, and respiratory distress may occur, and immediate consultation with a physician should be sought if symptoms appear. Mild side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia, headache, and fatigue, which are mostly temporary and resolve without discontinuation of treatment. This medication is not approved for other types of dementia or memory disorders other than Alzheimer-type dementia and should be administered under the supervision of an experienced physician. Heart disease patients may require an electrocardiogram when taking this medication, and those with a history of peptic ulcers should carefully monitor for symptom exacerbation. This medication may affect driving or the ability to operate machinery, so caution is necessary if fatigue or dizziness occurs early in treatment. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised not to use this medication, and if absolutely necessary, consultation with a specialist is recommended. This medication may interact with other drugs, so it is essential to inform the physician if taking antibiotics, antidepressants, antiarrhythmics, or anti-inflammatory analgesics. In cases of overdose, symptoms such as severe nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and respiratory distress may occur, requiring immediate emergency treatment, with atropine available as an antidote. Finally, this medication should be kept out of reach of children and should not be transferred to another container for safety purposes.

Serious side effects

• Severe allergic reactions (hives, severe swelling)
• Severe skin adverse reactions (severe rash, blistering, skin peeling, mucosal pain)
• Respiratory problems (shortness of breath, asthma attacks)
• Liver issues (jaundice, hepatitis, liver dysfunction)
• Severe neurological symptoms (severe headache, seizures, altered consciousness, vision abnormalities, paralysis)
• Severe edema or urinary issues (severe swelling, significant decrease in urine output)
• Cardiovascular abnormalities (fainting, bradycardia, severe cardiovascular issues)

Mild side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• decreased appetite
• headache
• fatigue
• dizziness
• insomnia
• drowsiness
• tremors

This medication should be stored in a closed container to prevent exposure to air and kept at a temperature between 1 degree and 30 degrees Celsius (34 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Storing it this way helps maintain the medication's effectiveness over time.

Appearance

Yellow round film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle