From the Research
Donepezil and Anorexia
- Donepezil, also known as Aricept, is not typically used to treat anorexia (loss of appetite) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- In fact, anorexia is listed as a potential adverse effect of donepezil in several studies 1, 2, 3, 4.
- The primary use of donepezil is for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, where it has been shown to improve cognitive function and global clinical state 1, 2, 3, 5.
Adverse Effects of Donepezil
- Common adverse effects of donepezil include nausea, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, dizziness, rhinitis, vomiting, asthenia/fatigue, and anorexia 1, 2, 3.
- These adverse effects are often most pronounced during dose initiation or adjustment 3.
- Donepezil has been found to have a favorable safety profile, with no significant effects on laboratory evaluations and no association with hepatotoxicity 2, 3.
Alternative Administration Methods
- Researchers have explored alternative administration methods for donepezil, such as lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophases, to reduce gastric side effects like anorexia 4.
- These alternative methods aim to provide a more controlled release of the drug, potentially reducing adverse effects and improving patient outcomes 4.