Donepezil Tablets 23 mg (Donepezil Hydrochloride Monohydrate)

Adult dose

This medication is taken once a day just before bedtime, and can be administered without regard to food. The initial recommended dose of Donepezil Hydrochloride is 5 mg taken once daily. After administering 5 mg for 4 to 6 weeks, clinical responses should be assessed, and the dose can be increased to 10 mg. When increasing to 10 mg per day, attention should be paid to gastrointestinal adverse reactions during administration. Patients should continue taking 10 mg once daily for at least 3 months.

This medication should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to certain drugs or ingredients. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as well as breastfeeding women, should not take this medication. Patients with a genetic intolerance to lactose should avoid this medication, as it contains lactose. Patients with heart diseases or cardiac conduction disorders should use this medication cautiously, as it may slow heart rate or cause arrhythmias. Patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or with a history of peptic ulcers should exercise caution, as there is a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcer exacerbation. Patients with asthma or obstructive pulmonary diseases should be careful, as this medication may induce bronchoconstriction and worsen symptoms. Patients with extrapyramidal disorders such as Parkinson's disease may experience worsening symptoms from this medication, so careful dosing is required. Patients allergic to the dye Yellow No. 4 should also be cautious. This medication can cause various side effects, including cardiac-related adverse reactions, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver dysfunction, neurological abnormalities, and if any unusual symptoms arise, consult a healthcare professional immediately. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia, hallucinations, and arrhythmias have been reported; hence, caution is necessary during use. This medication is used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and if there is no therapeutic effect or side effects are severe, the administration should be halted. Treatment should be conducted under the supervision of an experienced physician, and the patient’s condition should be regularly assessed. Caution is necessary when driving or operating machinery, as symptoms such as dizziness or drowsiness may occur. This medication may interact with other drugs, particularly those affecting the heart or involved in liver metabolism, so it is advisable to consult with an expert. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this medication, and if necessary, should consult a physician and make a careful decision. Safety in children has not been established, thus it should not be used in children. In the case of overdose, there is a risk of severe nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and respiratory depression, so immediate medical attention is required. This medication should be stored out of reach of children and should not be transferred to another container.

Serious side effects

Syncope, bradycardia, heart block, QT interval prolongation, myocardial infarction, heart failure, peptic ulcer, perforation of duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, liver dysfunction, jaundice, cerebral seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebrovascular disorders, extrapyramidal disorders, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, respiratory distress, acute pancreatitis, acute renal failure, unexplained sudden death, cardiac arrest, Torsade de pointes (a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia).

Mild side effects

• Nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• headache
• fatigue
• edema
• dizziness
• insomnia
• hallucinations

This medication should be stored in a sealed container to prevent air exposure and is best kept at a temperature between 1 and 30 degrees Celsius. Doing so will help maintain the efficacy of the medication for a longer period.

Appearance

Red, round, convex, film-coated tablets

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle