Common Side Effects
Nausea‚ vomiting‚ and diarrhea are common side effects of Aricept (donepezil). These side effects are more common when you first start the medication and whenever you raise your dose. They typically go away after a couple weeks of taking the same dose. Let your provider know if you have bothersome nausea‚ vomiting‚ or diarrhea...
Aricept most commonly causes stomach-related side effects‚ such as nausea‚ diarrhea‚ and appetite changes. It can also cause trouble sleeping‚ headaches‚ and muscle cramps. Mild side effects may occur‚ lasting a few days to weeks‚ and usually go away with continued use.
Less Common Side Effects
While less frequent‚ some individuals may experience side effects like abnormal dreams‚ constipation‚ drowsiness‚ joint pain or stiffness‚ unusual bleeding or bruising‚ or changes in urinary habits while taking Aricept (donepezil). These side effects may occur and vary in intensity from person to person. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider if you encounter any unusual or persistent symptoms.
Less common side effects of Aricept may include increased heart rate‚ increased sweating‚ irregular heartbeat‚ itching‚ or changes in bladder or bowel control. These effects are uncommon but should be reported to your doctor if experienced.
Serious Side Effects
Aricept (donepezil) may cause serious side effects‚ including slow heartbeats‚ lightheadedness‚ stomach pain‚ heartburn‚ seizures‚ painful urination‚ breathing problems‚ and abnormal heart rhythms. Some individuals may also experience gastrointestinal bleeding‚ marked by bloody or tarry stools‚ as well as severe allergic reactions characterized by skin rashes‚ difficulty breathing‚ or swelling of the face‚ tongue‚ or throat. If you suffer from any of these severe side effects‚ seek immediate medical attention or contact your healthcare provider.
Dehydration Risk
One common concern with Aricept (donepezil) is the risk of dehydration‚ particularly due to the gastrointestinal side effects like nausea‚ vomiting‚ and diarrhea that the medication can cause. These symptoms may lead to fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances‚ potentially increasing the risk of dehydration. It is essential to stay well-hydrated while taking Aricept and to seek medical attention if you experience severe dehydration symptoms.
Weight Loss Concerns
Weight loss‚ especially in individuals weighing less than 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds)‚ has been reported as a common side effect of Aricept (donepezil). Monitoring weight changes during treatment‚ especially after dose adjustments‚ is crucial. Significant weight loss exceeding 5% of body weight can be concerning‚ and if you experience unintentional weight loss‚ it is important to consult your healthcare provider for evaluation and appropriate management.
Allergic Reactions
An allergic reaction to Aricept (donepezil) is a potential but rare occurrence. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include hives‚ difficulty breathing‚ or swelling of the face‚ lips‚ tongue‚ or throat. It is important to seek medical attention promptly if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after taking Aricept. While this reaction was not commonly reported in clinical trials‚ it is crucial to be aware of the possibility and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Drug-Condition Interactions
Before taking Aricept (donepezil)‚ it is important to consider drug-condition interactions that may impact your health. Individuals with heart problems‚ such as bradycardia‚ or lung problems like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)‚ should consult their healthcare provider before starting this medication. Aricept can exacerbate symptoms of existing conditions‚ and a thorough evaluation is necessary to ensure the safety and efficacy of treatment.
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