Donepezil: uses, characteristics and effects of this drug

Due to the large number of symptoms and the gradual nature of these, neurodegenerative diseases are practically impossible to stop or cure. However, currently, there are drugs that make it possible to improve functions, giving the patient greater autonomy and, consequently, better quality of life.

This is the case of donepezil, a drug prescribed in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease which, despite not achieving remission of symptoms, favors the improvement of psychological functions such as memory, communication skills and even mobility.

• Related article: "Types of psychoactive drugs: uses and side effects"

What is donepezil?

Donepezil, known commercially under the name of Aricept, is a drug belonging to the so-called cholinesterase inhibitors and administered for the palliative treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The main effects that this drug exerts on the patient with Alzheimer's are related to the improvement of mental functions. Its effects on the cognition and behavior of patients are notable, improving functions such as memory, attention, interaction with other people, speech and the ability to reasoning.

However, despite these improvements, donepezil does not slow down the progression of the disease nor can it be considered a cure for Alzheimer's, but it is used as a palliative medication that improves the level of dependency and the quality of life of patients. patients.

The research that resulted in the development of donepezil began in 1983, but was not until 1996 when it received approval from the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After fourteen years, donepezil began to be marketed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and in 2011 became the world's best-selling Alzheimer's disease treatment, being also sold in generic format.

• You may be interested in: "Alzheimer's: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention"

In which cases is it used?

As discussed above, donepezil is administered in most cases for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This condition causes progressive neuronal destruction or degeneration that affects both memory processes and the ability to reason, learn, speak or perform a large number of daily activities.

In addition, this drug can also be administered for the treatment of certain types of dementias in which the capacities that enable memory, reasoning, communication, as well as emotional stability and personality are affected.

However, as specified above, there is as yet no evidence that donepezil alters the course or progression of Alzheimer's disease. The administration of this medicine is recommended in mild to moderate dementia, but in any case the person must be subjected to reviews and continuous monitoring, as well as psychological therapy that accompanies the effects of the medication.

In either case, donepezil never cure Alzheimer's, irreversible neurodegenerative disease; It has been designed to slow the advance of its effects. This implies that the course of the disease will continue forward, but the psychological wear and tear on a cognitive and emotional level could take longer to arrive.

What is your mecanism of action?

The active substance of donepezil binds and irreversibly paralyzes the action of cholinesterases, thus inhibiting the hydrolysis of the acetylcholine. As a result, donepezil increases acetylcholine concentrations at cholinergic synapses. What favors the correct functioning of neural transmissions.

Alzheimer's disease involves a substantial loss of certain elements of the cholinergic system, so it is hypothesized that the symptoms of this are related to a deficit of acetylcholine, especially in the cerebral cortex and other areas of the brain such as the formation hippocampal. This loss of cholinergic neurons in the central nervous system leads to cognitive impairment that causes symptoms related to attention, memory, and learning.

How is it administered?

Donepezil is administered in two different formats: tablets and oral tablets, soluble in the mouth, both to be taken by mouth. The recommended dose is usually one tablet or tablet a day, preferably always consumed at the same time and at night just before going to bed. However, these are general recommendations, so The patient must always adhere to the indications provided by the medical professional., which will adjust the treatment to each specific case. Therefore, in no case should the patient alter the indicated doses on their own and may only stop taking it under the supervision of the relevant doctor.

Donepezil may take a few weeks to work. However, the patient must continue with its consumption. Otherwise, it is possible that a whole series of adverse effects appear that harm the person's state of health.

What are the side effects?

As with all drugs and medicines, donepezil can cause a number of side effects which, depending on the degree of intensity in which they occur, can become really annoying for the patient.

Why do these side effects appear? The explanation is the same for any active principle used in a drug: these they are only molecules, not remote-controlled nanobots designed to act only on certain parts of some cells and not on others. Rather, these molecules interact with everything with which they can interact in a meaningful way, and some of these elements are out of the circuit that maintains and feeds the appearance of the symptoms to be treated with the drug.

These reactions typical of the treatment can be divided into those side effects that are not serious, so they are not always require medical attention, and those other more serious effects, in which it is necessary to go to the doctor's office as soon as possible possible; in order to adjust the medication.

On the other hand, it should also be taken into account that Each person's brain works differently., and that the active principle of any psychotropic drug can produce unexpected chain reactions due to this. Of course, in most cases the human body has the ability to "stop" these chain reactions even when they occur in a way that is harmful to the body; in others, it is necessary to go urgently to the doctor.

1. Non-serious side effects

• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• gastric alterations like diarrhea.
• Loss of appetite and consequent weight loss.
• Increased need to urinate.
• Muscle cramps.
• Joint pain.
• Feeling tired and fatigued.
• Sleeping problems.
• headaches.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling nervous.
• depressive symptoms.
• Confusion.
• Alterations in mood.
• Skin changes such as redness or itching.

2. serious side effects

These are the side effects that have to be detected and treated more quickly.

• hallucinations.
• Fainting.
• decreased heart rate.
• Chest pain.
• Respiratory problems.
• Stools darker than usual.
• Blood in the stool.
• Vomiting with traces of blood or granules similar to coffee.
• pain when urinating.
• low back pain
• Fever.
• seizures.
• Discoloration or bruising for no apparent reason.

What precautions should be taken with its consumption?

The patient must inform his doctor of any special health conditions you are in, including pregnancyboth before and during treatment. In addition, donepezil should be administered cautiously in patients with heart disease, disorders of the cardiac conduction, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and sinus syndrome sick.

On the other hand, this medication can only be consumed under medical indication and supervision. In the same way, the physician must be aware of any other treatment to which the patient is subjected. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and natural herbal blends.

Price

The price of donepezilFor a box of 30 10-milligram tablets, it is about 30 euros in Spain and 1,430 Mexican pesos in Mexico. In any case, its consumption should always be indicated by the doctor, due to its side effects.