Donepezil (Aricept) Uses

Donepezil is used to treat mild, moderate, and severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. This medication can help to improve memory dysfunction, attention, thinking abilities, speech, interactions with others, and the ability to perform daily activities. However, donepezil does not cure Alzheimer’s disease and does not prevent the loss of mental abilities in the future. 

There may be other uses of donepezil, including treatment of other types of dementia such as Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia—your doctor or health system pharmacists can give you further drug information.

Donepezil (Aricept) Mechanism of Action

The cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease are believed to be due to a deficiency of acetylcholine, a naturally occurring substance in the brain. Donepezil blocks an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, thereby increasing acetylcholine and enhancing cholinergic transmission.

Donepezil (Aricept) Doses

Donepezil HCl is available as a 5 mg, 10 mg, and 23 mg tablet and a 5 mg and 10 mg orally disintegrating tablet. This medicine is taken once a day in the evening before bed.

A donepezil transdermal delivery system (weekly patch) has also received FDA approval. The patch is sold under the brand name Adlarity and comes in 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day doses.