Approved by FDA in 1996 Donepezil, brand named as Aricept, is orally administered for therapeutic use in the treatment of mild to moderate dementia, related with Alzheimer’s disease. Although this medication is useful to treat age related dementia, it just cannot cut down the pace and progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Aricept is also available in generic variety as Donepezil hydrochloride and is obviously significantly cheaper than the branded variety. It is a prescription drug and should strictly be taken under medical advice as it is contra-indicated in numerous situations and if taken in combination with certain other drugs.

Donepezil may be contra-indicated in cases of pregnancy, rhythmic disorder of heart, enlarged prostate leading to urination problems, seizure disorders like epilepsy, asthma, ulcers or if the patient is allergic to this medication. In these cases, Aricept may be selectively administered in lower doses after proper screening and conducting special tests by the health service provider. As this medicine can impair your thinking process and reflexes, be careful while driving or directly handling moving or rotating machinery.

Mechanism of action of donepezil is that it inhibits an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase in the brain. This enzyme is primarily responsible for destruction of neurotransmitter (called acetylcholine) used by nerves to communicate with various parts of the body and brain. Deficiency in concentration of acetylcholine results in Alzheimer’s disease. By inhibiting the killer enzyme, donepezil increases the concentration of acetylcholine in brain thereby reducing the symptoms of dementia.

Unfortunately there is no proof that Donepezil (or similar agents) can really alter the course of progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However controlled group studies conducted over 6 to 12 months periods have shown modest improvements in behavior and cognition patterns of Alzheimer’s patients. Further as pilot studies have shown that donepezil therapy may have effects on markers of Alzheimer’s progression, many neurologists, psychiatrist and general physicians do recommend donepezil, some times along with some other agents (like memantine) for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, as it is felt that combined therapy response is some times superior to donepezil therapy alone.

Although donepezil therapy is currently indicated for mild to moderate cases of Alzheimer’s disease, the situation changed after results of 2 clinical trials, conducted by top of the line Karolinska Institutet near Stockholm, were published in one of the world’s most respected medical journal ‘The Lancet’ in 2006 stating that donepezil improved cognition function even in patients with severe Alzheimer’s cases.

Donepezil hydrochloride or Aricept is available as 5mg and 10mg tablets and is also available in orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) form. The drug is well tolerated after about 5 weeks, although initially it may have some conspicuous side effects.