{"id":627009,"date":"2024-03-04T12:10:27","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T17:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627009"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:36:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:36:20","slug":"donepezil-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/donepezil-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Donepezil interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Donepezil hydrochloride<\/span><\/a>, known by the brand name <\/span>Aricept<\/span><\/a>, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help manage <\/span>Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/span><\/a>. It is also used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for other forms of <\/span>dementia<\/span><\/a>. Donepezil is available as a tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet, and a weekly patch. It is a <\/span>central acetylcholinesterase inhibitor<\/span><\/a>. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine. A deficiency of acetylcholine characterizes forms of dementia that donepezil manages, and donepezil appears to increase available concentrations of this molecule. However, donepezil use comes with a risk of <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> including cardiac effects, loss of appetite resulting in weight loss, and the development of muscle cramps. The patch may cause a local reaction at the application site, but this shouldn\u2019t be mistaken for an allergic reaction to the medication. Donepezil interacts with anticholinergic agents, antipsychotic agents, medications that slow the heart rate, and other medications that impact cardiac conduction. It\u2019s important to be aware of donepezil\u2019s drug interactions as other drugs, supplements, and foods can affect its effectiveness or worsen side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donepezil drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Donepezil interacts with several classes of medications, including many that impact the central nervous system (CNS) and the heart. In some instances, combinations may increase side effects like the development of stomach ulcers. Below is a review of the more common and serious drug-drug interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anticholinergic and cholinergic drugs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Donepezil and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may decrease the effect of anticholinergic agents, and likewise, anticholinergic agents may decrease the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Anticholinergic drugs and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors combined work against each other\u2014anticholinergics block the effects of acetylcholine, while acetylcholinesterase inhibitors prevent its breakdown. The overall result is a diminished therapeutic effect, which may worsen symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease. <\/span>Product labels<\/span><\/a> acknowledge the opposing mechanisms and recommend avoidance of the combination whenever possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of <\/b>anticholinergic medications<\/b><\/a> include:<\/b><\/p>\n