Donepezil (Aricept) Side Effects

Common side effects of donepezil are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or they do not go away in a few days.

• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss
• Urinary frequency or urgency
• Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness
• Muscle cramps
• Excessive fatigue
• Vivid or unusual dreams
• Sleep difficulties
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Depression
• Confusion
• Nervousness
• Mood or behavior changes
• Hallucinations 
• Red, itchy, scaling skin

Some of the side effects of donepezil are more serious. Call your healthcare professional right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop:

• Fainting
• Chest pain
• New or worsening breathing problems
• Slowed heartbeat
• New or worsening stomach pain or heartburn
• Blood in vomit
• Vomit that resembles coffee grounds
• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in stools
• Fever
• Pain with urination or difficulty urinating
• Lower back pain
• Seizures
• Skin discoloration or bruising

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of donepezil. Contact your healthcare provider if you have other side effects that are unusual or severe or do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Donepezil (Aricept) Overdose: In case of an overdose of donepezil, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the local poison control center or national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if a person has collapsed, stopped breathing, had a seizure, or is unresponsive. Signs and symptoms of a donepezil overdose can include nausea, vomiting, sweating, drooling, fainting, difficulty breathing, slow heartbeat, muscle weakness, and seizures.

Source: FDA