Donepezil Krka
Donepezil Krka helps improve memory in people with Alzheimer's disease by increasing a chemical in the brain.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
5 mg
Active Ingredient
Donepezil hydrochloride
Manufacturer
KRKA d.d. Novo mesto
How to Use
Dosage
Start with one 5 mg white tablet every evening. After one month, your doctor might increase it to one 10 mg yellow tablet every evening.
Method
Swallow the tablet whole with water, in the evening before you go to bed.
Important
The most you should take is 10 mg every evening.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Diarrhea
- •Feeling sick (nausea)
- •Headache
- •Muscle cramps
- •Tiredness
- •Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- •Cold-like symptoms
- •Loss of appetite
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
- •Unusual dreams, including nightmares
- •Feeling agitated
- •Aggressive behavior
- •Fainting
- •Dizziness
- •Stomach discomfort
- •Skin rash
- •Itching
- •Trouble controlling urination (urinary incontinence)
- •Pain
- •Accidents (increased risk of falls)
RARE
- •Liver damage (hepatitis), symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, general unwell feeling, fever, itching, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine.
- •Stomach or duodenal ulcers, symptoms include stomach pain and discomfort (indigestion).
- •Bleeding in the stomach or intestines, shown as black, tarry stools or visible blood from the rectum.
- •Seizures or convulsions.
- •High fever with muscle stiffness, sweating, or reduced consciousness (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome).
- •Muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain, especially if you also feel unwell, have a high fever, or dark urine (rhabdomyolysis), which can lead to kidney problems.
- •Changes in heart activity seen on an ECG, called prolonged QT interval.
- •Fast, irregular heartbeat and fainting, which can be symptoms of a life-threatening condition called Torsade de pointes.
- •Slow heartbeat
- •Too much saliva
- •Stiffness, shaking, or uncontrolled movements of the face, tongue, arms, or legs
- •Increased sexual drive (libido) or hypersexuality
- •Pisa syndrome (involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal bending of the body and head to one side)
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to donepezil hydrochloride or any other ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you have had stomach or gut ulcers, or bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had seizures or fits.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, such as a slow or irregular heartbeat, or if a family member has a condition called 'prolonged QT interval'.
- Tell your doctor if you have low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood.
Show 7 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have asthma or any other long-term lung disease.
- Tell your doctor if you have liver problems or inflammation (hepatitis) or severe kidney problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have trouble urinating.
- This medicine is not recommended for children and teenagers under 18 years old.
- If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
- If you have Alzheimer's disease or if this medicine makes you tired, dizzy, or causes muscle cramps, do not drive or use machines.
- This medicine contains lactose. Talk to your doctor if you cannot tolerate certain sugars.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Risk of QT prolongation. Increases the risk of cardiac conduction disorders, such as bradycardia. May exacerbate existing COPD. Consider adverse effects affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Consider potential interactions. Avoid concomitant use of anticholinergic medicines. (updated 18.3.2024)