Donepezil Orion
Donepezil Orion is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease by helping to improve memory and brain function.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
5 mg
Active Ingredient
Donepezil hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Orion Corporation
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose is 5 mg (one white tablet) every evening. Your doctor might increase it to 10 mg (one yellow tablet) every evening after one month.
Method
Take one tablet whole with a glass of water, usually in the evening before bed. You can take it with or without food.
Important
The maximum recommended dose is 10 mg every evening.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Diarrhea
- •Headache
- •Nausea
- •Common cold
- •Fatigue
- •Loss of appetite
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- •Restlessness
- •Aggressive behavior
- •Fainting
- •Dizziness
- •Vomiting
- •Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- •Stomach discomfort
- •Rash
- •Itching
- •Muscle cramps
- •Urinary incontinence (difficulty holding urine)
- •Pain
- •Accidents (increased risk of falls and injuries)
- •Unusual dreams, including nightmares
RARE
- •Slow heartbeat
- •Excess saliva
- •Increased levels of creatine kinase in the blood (a sign of muscle metabolism)
- •Movement disorders, such as shaking/tremor, stiffness, or uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, tongue, hands, and legs
- •Heart conduction problems (heart block)
- •Liver damage, such as hepatitis (symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, general illness, fever, itching, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
- •Stomach or duodenal ulcers (symptoms include stomach pain and discomfort between the navel and breastbone)
- •Bleeding in the stomach or intestines (may appear as black, tarry stools or visible blood from the rectum)
- •Seizures or convulsions
- •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever with muscle stiffness, sweating, or decreased consciousness)
- •Rhabdomyolysis (muscle weakness, tenderness or pain, especially with illness, high fever or dark urine, leading to kidney problems and can be life-threatening)
- •Changes in heart activity seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) called 'prolonged QT interval'
- •Fast irregular heartbeat and fainting, which can be symptoms of a life-threatening condition called Torsade de pointes
- •Increased libido, hypersexuality
- •Pisa syndrome (a condition with involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal bending of the body and head to one side)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to donepezil hydrochloride, piperidine derivatives, or any other ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers, or have had seizures or convulsions.
- Inform your doctor about any heart problems you have, such as a slow or irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or if you have had a heart attack or a heart condition called 'prolonged QT interval' or a family history of it.
- Let your doctor know if you have low magnesium or potassium levels in your blood, asthma, or other long-term lung disease.
- Speak to your doctor if you have liver problems or hepatitis (liver inflammation). Do not take Donepezil Orion if you have severe liver disease.
Show 7 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have trouble urinating or have kidney disease.
- This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding.
- Avoid alcohol, as it can change how the medicine works.
- This medicine can make you tired, dizzy, or cause muscle cramps. Do not drive or operate machines unless your doctor says it's safe.
- This medicine contains lactose. If you have an intolerance to certain sugars, talk to your doctor.
- Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter and herbal remedies.
- If you are having surgery that requires general anesthesia, tell your doctor and the anesthesiologist that you are taking Donepezil Orion.
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)