Donepezil is a centrally acting reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Its main therapeutic use is in the palliative treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset. Donepezil (Aricept) should be used with caution in patient with cardiac disease, cardiac conduction disturbances, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, severe cardiac arrhythmias and sick sinus syndrome. Patients with gastrointestinal disorders should use caution because nausea or vomiting may occur. These symptoms may appear more frequent when initiating treatment or increasing the donepezil dose.Donepezil has been tested (off label) in other cognitive disorders, including Lewy body dementia,[8] and vascular dementia, but it is not currently approved for these indications. Donepezil has also been found to improve sleep apnea in Alzheimer's patients.
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