An oral daily medication used to treat dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Donepezil hydrochloride tablet is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's Disease ( 1 ). Donepezil hydrochloride tablet is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.
12.1 Mechanism of Action Current theories on the pathogenesis of the cognitive signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease attribute some of them to a deficiency of cholinergic neurotransmission. Donepezil hydrochloride is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase. There is no evidence that donepezil alters the course of the underlying dementing process.
Sources: drug label, approval and manufacturer data from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. This page is a plain-English summary for general information and is not medical advice. It is not exhaustive and may not reflect the latest label — always consult the official prescribing information and your clinician or pharmacist. Brand availability, indications and approvals differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions.