Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.
Distribution: Unknown.
Protein Binding: 96%.
Metabolism/Excretion: Partially metabolized by the liver (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 enyzmes) and partially excreted by kidneys (17% unchanged). Two metabolites are pharmacologically active. The CYP2D6 enzyme system exhibits genetic polymorphism (7% of population may be poor metabolizers and may have significantly ↑ donepezil concentrations and an ↑ risk of adverse effects).
Half-life: 70 hr.
Contraindicated in:
Use Cautiously in:
CV: atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hypotension, vasodilation.
Derm: ecchymoses.
GI: diarrhea, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, weight gain (unusual).
GU: frequent urination.
Metab: hot flashes, weight loss.
MS: arthritis, muscle cramps.
Neuro: headache, abnormal dreams, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, syncope, sedation (unusual).
Drug-Drug:
Drug-Natural Products:
Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
Severe Alzheimer's Disease
Aricept, Aricept ODT
Therapeutic Classification: anti-Alzheimers's agents
Pharmacologic Classification: cholinergics (cholinesterase inhibitors)
(Generic available)
NDC Code*