Donepezil Drug Study PDF

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Drug Study

Generic Name: donepezil

Trade Name(s): Aricept

Drug Classification: Therapeutic: anti-Alzheimer’s agents; Pharmacologic: cholinergics (cholinesterase inhibitors) Therapeutic Uses: May temporarily lessen some of the dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Maximum Dosage/24 hours: 10 mg/day

Possible Routes of Administration: PO

Usual Dosage and Frequency: 5 mg/day Mechanism of Action: Inhibits acetylcholinesterase thus improving cholinergic function by making more acetylcholine available

Adverse Effects: CNS: headache, abnormal dreams, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, syncope, sedation (unusual). CV: atrial fibrillation, HTN, hypotension, vasodilation. GI: diarrhea, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, weight gain (unusual), GU: frequent urination. Derm: ecchymoses. Metab: hot flashes, weight loss. MS: arthritis, muscle cramps.

Nursing Implications: •Assess cognitive function (memory, attention, reasoning, language, ability to perform simple tasks) periodically during therapy. •Monitor HR periodically during therapy. May cause bradycardia.

•PO: Administer in the evening just before going to bed. May be taken without regard to food. Patient Teaching: •Caution patient/caregiver that donepezil may cause dizziness. •Advise patient and caregiver to notify HCP if N&V, diarrhea, or changes in color of stool occur or if new symptoms occur or previously noted symptoms increase in severity •Inform patient of caregiver that it may take a week before improvement in baseline behavior is observed....