What is Aricept?
Aricept, which goes by the generic name Donepezil, is a prescription drug used to slow-down the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Aricept is in a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors; Aricept attempts to improve mental function (attention, memory, language abilities, social interaction and the ability to perform daily tasks) by increasing the amount of a naturally occurring enzyme in the brain. Although the drug may improve cognitive function, Aricept does not cure Alzheimer’s disease nor prevent the loss of mental abilities over time.
If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, your doctor is likely to prescribe a cholinesterase inhibitor. If your medical professional prescribes Aricept it is crucial that you adhere to the Aricept instructions provided. Failure to follow the Aricept instructions will result in an inefficient use of the pill. Moreover, if you don’t follow Aricept instructions you are likely to augment the side effects associated with the drug. The term Aricept instructions simply refers to proper storage of the pill, dosage and ingestion; failing to follow Aricept instructions is highly discouraged.
What are Proper Aricept Instructions?
Again—it cannot be stated enough—you must take Aricept exactly as prescribed by your medical professional. Do not take Aricept in larger amounts or take it longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the Aricept instructions printed on the prescription label.
If you are planning to have any type of surgery, you must inform your surgeon ahead of time that you are taking the drug.
Aricept instructions state that you may take the drug with or without food. Aricept instructions also state that you should take the tablet with a full glass of water.
When taking the orally disintegrating tablet please follow these Aricept instructions:
• Aricept instructions state that you should keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to ingest it. Open the package and cut or peel the backing from the blister. Never push the tablet through the backing or you may damage it.
• Aricept instructions state that you should use dry hands to remove the tablet.
• When you place the tablet in your mouth it will immediately begin to dissolve. Aricept instructions state that you should never swallow the tablet whole; allow it to dissolve in your mouth and do not chew it.
• Aricept instructions state that you should swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. Once the tablet is completely dissolved, you should drink a full glass of water.
• Aricept instructions state that you should take pill at bedtime and at the same time every night. Remember, follow the Aricept instructions on the prescription and those provided by your doctor. You should store Aricept at room temperature and keep the pills away from heat and moisture.
• If you miss a dose you should take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is time to take your next dose, you should skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next scheduled time. Aricept instructions state that you should never take extra doses of the medication to make up for missed ones.
• If you overdose on Aricept you must immediately seek emergency help. Overdose symptoms include: severe vomiting, drooling, sweating, blurred vision, slow heartbeat, muscle weakness, seizure, fainting and shallow breathing.
