Donepezil

Class

• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Indications

• • Palliative treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

  • Off label for Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia

Administration/Absorption

• • Orally disintegrating tablet

  • Relative oral bioavailability of 100%

  • Reaches peak plasma concentrations in 3 to 4 hours.

Dosage

Distribution

Mechanism

• • Enhances cholinergic function in the cerebral cortex, nucleus basalis, and hippocampus

  • This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase.

Excretion

• • Excreted in the urine intact

  • Extensively metabolized to four major metabolites, two of which are known to be active,

Side effects

• • Bradycardia, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and vivid dreams

Interactions

• • Alcohol

Contraindications