DONEPEZIL

Acetylcholinesterase inhibiting drugs are used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, speciality for mild to moderate disease.

Dosage

5mg once daily at bedtime; if necessary increase to 10mg daily after 1 month. Max dose 10mg daily in single bedtime dose.

Contra-Indications

Pregnancy, Lactation.

Special Precautions

Sick sinus syndrome, supraventricular conduction abnormalities. Susceptibility to peptic ulcers, asthma, COPD.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. Fatigue, isomonia, muscle cramps. Occasionally headache, dizziness, syncope, bradycradia (rarely SA block), AV block. Convulsions. Anorexia, gastric, ulcer, duodenal ulcer, GI haemorrhage, hepatitis, urinary incontinence, possibly bladder outflow obstruction.

Drug Interactions

Antiarrhythmics : Procainamide, quinidine and probably propafenone antagonise effect of neostigmine & pyridostigmine.