Aricept (donepezil) is a brand-name drug prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. As with other drugs, Aricept can cause side effects. These include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Aricept can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Aricept in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Aricept. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Aricept’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Aricept include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Aricept and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Aricept. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Aricept may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Aricept’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Aricept, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Aricept. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Aricept is a brand-name drug that contains the active drug donepezil. This drug is also available as the generic drug, donepezil. Because they contain the same active drug, Aricept and generic donepezil can cause the same side effects.

For information about whether Aricept or donepezil might be better for you, talk with your doctor.

Aricept may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Aricept cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. In the drug’s clinical trials, most side effects were temporary, lasting a few days or weeks.

However, some side effects may not go away until you stop treatment with Aricept. These side effects are rare but may be serious. Examples include:

If you experience persistent or bothersome side effects while taking Aricept, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend ways to manage these effects.

If I stop taking Aricept, will I experience certain side effects?

No, this isn’t likely. In clinical trials, people who stopped taking Aricept didn’t report specific side effects.

However, it’s important that you do not stop taking Aricept on your own. If you’d like to stop treatment with Aricept, talk with your doctor first. They’ll advise the safest way for you to stop taking the drug.

How do the side effects of Aricept in older adults compare with those seen in younger adults?

It’s not clear whether Aricept affects older adults differently than younger adults. The drug is prescribed to treat Alzheimer’s disease, which mainly affects people ages 55 years and older.

In Aricept’s clinical trials, the same side effects occurred in adults older and younger than 65 years. However, it’s important to note that the average age of people taking the drug was 73 years.

If you have concerns about whether your age may affect Aricept’s side effects, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Aricept may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Aricept.

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the three most common side effects of Aricept. In clinical trials, these digestive side effects became more common at higher doses. Nausea and diarrhea were also among the most common reasons people stopped treatment with the drug.

In most cases, these side effects are temporary, lasting up to 3 weeks. They usually go away as you continue treatment with Aricept.

However, in some cases, they can last longer or become severe. Specifically, these side effects may be more severe if you weigh less than 55 kilograms (kg) or 121 pounds (lb).

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include:

What you can do

At the start of treatment or after dose changes, your doctor will typically monitor you closely for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience these side effects during treatment, be sure to tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage them. For example, if you feel nauseous, try taking small sips of fluid or sucking on ice chips.

You can help prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Electrolyte drinks, such as Pedialyte, are good choices for preventing dehydration.

If you experience severe or bothersome symptoms of dehydration, seek medical care right away.

Weight loss

Weight loss was a common symptom reported in clinical trials of Aricept. As with certain other side effects, it was more common at higher doses of the drug. It was also more common in people weighing less than 55 kg (about 121 lb).

In some people, the weight loss with Aricept was significant. This means a person lost more than 5% of their body weight. Significant weight loss can be harmful if you have a low body weight.

What you can do

Your doctor will likely check your weight periodically during treatment with Aricept, particularly after dose increases. If you notice any unintentional weight loss, let your doctor know. They can determine what’s causing it and suggest ways to manage it.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Aricept can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Aricept. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Aricept. This drug may not be the right treatment if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Heart problems. Aricept can cause serious heart problems, including bradycardia (slow heart rate) and heart block. If you already have a heart condition, taking Aricept may increase your risk of this side effect. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a heart problem. They’ll help determine whether Aricept is safe for you to take.

Lung problems. Aricept may worsen symptoms of certain lung problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have a lung condition, talk with your doctor before you start taking Aricept. They’ll help determine the best treatment option for you.

Low body weight. The risk of certain side effects may be higher in adults with low body weight. These side effects may include nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. If you weigh less than 55 kilograms (kg), about 121 pounds (lb), talk with your doctor before taking Aricept. They can advise whether Aricept is safe for your condition.

Liver problems. Certain liver problems, such as cirrhosis, may affect how well your body can process Aricept. This is because your liver helps clear the drug from your system. If your liver is damaged, it may take your body longer to process Aricept. In turn, this may increase your risk of side effects.

Before you start taking Aricept, tell your doctor about any liver conditions you may have. They’ll advise on the safest treatment options for your condition.

Seizure. Drugs like Aricept may increase the risk of having a seizure. In addition, Alzheimer’s disease may also increase your risk of a seizure. (Aricept is prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease.) If you’ve had a seizure in the past, let your doctor know. They’ll help determine whether Aricept is safe for you to take.

Stomach ulcers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Aricept can increase the risk of a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. In addition, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause similar side effects. Taking an NSAID with Aricept can further increase your risk of these side effects.

If you’ve ever had a stomach ulcer or currently take an NSAID, let your doctor know. You may have a higher risk of a stomach ulcer or GI bleed.

Surgery. Aricept can interact with some anesthesia drugs given during surgery. Before having surgery, it’s important to tell your medical team if you’re taking Aricept. They may advise you to change your treatment plan until after your surgery.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Aricept or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Aricept. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Aricept may not be safe for you to take. However, Aricept is prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease, which typically affects people ages 55 years and older. If you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Aricept.

Alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, Aricept may not be safe for you to take. This drug is processed through your liver. In some cases, alcohol consumption can damage your liver over time. In turn, this can affect how well your body processes Aricept. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you’d like to learn more about Aricept, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Aricept. For details about other aspects of Aricept, refer to this article.
  • Dosage. For information about the dosage of Aricept, view this article.
  • A look at dementia. For details about dementia, see our dementia hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.