Key takeaways
Donepezil is the generic version of Aricept and is FDA-approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Generic donepezil contains the same active ingredient as Aricept but may have different inactive ingredients and usually costs less.
Donepezil is often taken at night, but it may be recommended for morning dosing if it causes sleep problems.
Aricept is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Its generic version, donepezil, is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that helps preserve acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and thinking. Doctors may also prescribe donepezil for dementia symptoms related to other conditions, such as Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease dementia, but its FDA-approved use is for Alzheimer’s disease. Generic donepezil became available in the U.S. in 2010 and is sold as standard tablets and orally disintegrating tablets.
Aricept generic availability |
|
|---|---|
| Generic name | Donepezil |
| FDA approval date of the generic version | Orally disintegrating tablets: February 2010; standard film-coated tablets: November 2010 |
| Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.? | Yes |
Is donepezil the same as Aricept?
“Aricept and its generic counterpart, donepezil, are the same where it counts,” says Suzanne Borkowski, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist at Resonance Psychiatry based in the Washington, DC-Baltimore area. “Both contain the active ingredient donepezil hydrochloride, which means they should have the same desired effect on symptoms.”
Generic and brand-name drugs must be bioequivalent. This means the generic version must contain the same active ingredient and deliver the same amount of medication to the bloodstream at the same rate.
“For a generic version to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it must be the same form of medication (e.g., tablets, capsules, or injections) and possess the same release characteristics (e.g., immediate or delayed release),” Dr. Borkowski explains.
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Inactive ingredients may differ
However, bioequivalent does not mean identical. Generic and brand-name drugs may differ in inactive ingredients, such as fillers, binders, coatings, colors, or preservatives.
For example, donepezil hydrochloride tablets may contain inactive ingredients such as:
- Corn starch
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose
- Lactose monohydrate
- Magnesium stearate
- Microcrystalline cellulose
For most people, switching from Aricept to generic donepezil is not expected to affect treatment outcomes. One study found that when patients with Alzheimer’s disease switched from Aricept to donepezil, their quality of life didn’t change.
However, some patients may experience side effects from inactive ingredients, which can influence which prescription drug they receive. “In my practice, I have seen patients who experienced mild allergic reactions or other adverse effects when the manufacturer supplying the pharmacy changes,” Dr. Borkowski says. “This could be a response to an inactive ingredient or even a different coating on the medication. In these situations, I communicate with the pharmacy that it is ‘medically necessary’ to avoid specific manufacturers.”
Prescribers may consider cost and patient tolerance
Cost may also affect whether a healthcare provider recommends brand-name or generic Aricept. “When it comes to my family medicine practice, I rarely have a preference for branded Aricept over generic donepezil, due to their comparable effectiveness,” says James Lyons, MD, a family medicine physician and Clinical adviser of Epiphany Wellness of Austin, Texas. “However, the cost of generic donepezil is lower than the name-brand, which usually leads to better adherence and less financial stress for the patient.”
How much does generic Aricept cost?
With or without health insurance, generic donepezil can be much cheaper than brand-name Aricept tablets. Without insurance, Aricept can cost $653 for a 30-day supply of 10 mg tablets. In contrast, donepezil is $212 for the same quantity, form, and strength. Because both drugs contain the same active ingredient, going the generic route may be more affordable for some people.
Brand vs. generic Aricept prices |
||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brand-name Aricept | Aricept generic (donepezil) |
| Average cost without insurance | $653 for 30, 10 mg tablets of Aricept | $212 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic donepezil |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $497 for 30, 10 mg tablets of Aricept at Kroger | $8 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic donepezil at Kroger |
| Free coupons | Aricept coupons | Donepezil coupons |
Is Aricept covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover generic donepezil. Medicare plans do not cover the brand-name Aricept. Copays will depend on a person’s plan type and coverage.
What are the side effects of donepezil (Aricept)?
The side effects are the same for both brand-name Aricept and generic donepezil.
The most common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Vivid dreams
- Muscle cramp
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
Many gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are dose-related and often improve over time or with adjustments to how donepezil is taken.
“I usually start patients on a low dose of donepezil, and encourage families and caregivers to track sleep, appetite, and weight during the first few weeks,” Dr. Lyons says.
Less common, but serious side effects of the Alzheimer’s drug that require immediate medical attention include:
- Hallucinations
- Heart block
- Slow heart rate
- Irregular heartbeats
- Swollen pancreas
- Seizures
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
- Severe muscle damage
- Hemolytic anemia
- Urinary obstruction
- Fainting
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
If your loved one is experiencing any of these side effects, dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
Certain side effects of generic donepezil may be manageable if the drug is taken at night. “These effects can be dose-related, meaning they are more likely to occur at higher medication doses,” Dr. Borkowski explains. “The digestive side effects often resolve in one to two weeks, although they may recur temporarily with a dose increase.”
Please reach out to your loved one’s healthcare provider if GI symptoms persist beyond the initial weeks of treatment.
Why does Aricept have to be taken at night?
Aricept does not always need to be taken at night, but bedtime dosing is often recommended to reduce daytime side effects. “Donepezil is recommended for evening dosing due to its potential to cause dizziness in some individuals,” Dr. Borkowski says. “Taking it right before bedtime can help minimize the risk of falls associated with dizziness.”
Other possible side effects of donepezil that can make nighttime dosing more suitable include fatigue, GI issues, and fainting.
If you’re the caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s and notice these symptoms, please reach out to their healthcare provider for guidance.
In some cases, morning doses of donepezil may be preferred over nighttime doses because of vivid dreams and sleep disturbances. “One time, a patient’s caregiver told me that they thought their loved one’s Alzheimer’s symptoms were getting worse because of intense dreams while on donepezil,” Dr. Lyons says. “We decided to simply change the timing of the dose from nighttime to morning, and this resolved the issue while still retaining the cognitive benefits.”
Before switching from morning doses to nighttime, or vice versa, please consult the prescribing provider.
What drugs should not be taken with Aricept?
Like any medication, generic donepezil can interact with several drugs, including:
- Other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and cholinomimetics
- Anticholinergic and cholinergic drugs
- Antipsychotic medications
- Neuromuscular blockers
- Heart-rate-lowering medications
- QTc-prolonging medications (antiarrhythmics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, and azole antifungals)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Anticonvulsants
- Corticosteroids
- Certain sleep aids, such as doxylamine
- St. John’s wort, a supplement for depression
Alcohol may also increase the risk of side effects, so ask a healthcare provider whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking donepezil.
How to review medications before starting donepezil
It’s important to note other contraindications for Aricept generic, such as:
- Allergic reactions to donepezil or other similar medications
- Liver problems
- Ulcers in the gut or intestines, such as stomach ulcers
- Heart problems
- Asthma or other respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Before your loved one starts taking donepezil, compile a complete list of medications and supplements to share with their healthcare provider and pharmacist. The prescribing provider will use this list as part of the medication review.
“The patient and I review their list of current medications, including both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, along with any supplements,” Dr. Borkowski says. “I assess for any potential drug-drug interactions, focusing particularly on those that are moderate-to-severe. I also ensure that there is a clear rationale for any duplicate therapies present.”
Dr. Borkowski adds that the medication review also includes assessment of:
- Current medical conditions and the potential risks that donepezil may pose to those conditions
- Lab results for kidney and liver function
“If they choose to try the medication, I explain the starting dose instructions and, if appropriate, outline an initial gradual taper-up plan,” Dr. Borkowski says. “We also talk about possible adverse reactions and the appropriate steps to take, whether that involves seeking emergency medical attention or decreasing the medication dosage for reassessment at the next visit.”
What other medications treat Alzheimer’s disease?
Generic donepezil is just one of many drugs that can help manage Alzheimer’s symptoms. Two common drug classes are cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) and NMDA receptor antagonists (memantine).
Cholinesterase inhibitors are typically prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, while memantine is prescribed for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine works to regulate glutamate, a brain chemical involved in learning and memory. Too much glutamate activity may damage brain cells.
In some instances, people may be prescribed both donepezil and memantine together. “Research indicates that using both medications together leads to improved outcomes across various areas, including cognitive functioning, activities of daily living (ADL), and overall neuropsychiatric symptoms,” Dr. Borkowski explains. “Currently, a combination pill called Namzaric, which contains both donepezil and memantine, is available, although it may be challenging to obtain due to its cost.”
One study found that combining prescription drugs donepezil and memantine could extend the lives of patients living with Alzheimer’s beyond five years after diagnosis.
If your loved one could benefit from taking donepezil and memantine, please reach out to your prescribing healthcare provider for professional medical advice.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Aug. 11, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Bioequivalence, U.S Food and Drug Administration (2025)
- Label: Donepezil – donepezil hydrochloride tablet, DailyMed (2025)
- Comparison of the effects of a brand-name drug and its generic drug on the quality of life of Alzheimer’s disease patients, Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience (2015)
- How is Alzheimer’s disease treated? National Institute of Aging (2023)
- Memantine, donepezil, or combination therapy — what is the best therapy for Alzheimer’s disease? A network meta-analysis, Brain and Behavior (2020)
- Combined use of donepezil and memantine increases the probability of five-year survival of Alzheimer’s disease patients, Communications Medicine (2024)
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