Dementia medicinePrescription only
Donepezil
Tablet
Quick Summary
Donepezil boosts acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory.
Alzheimer's disease
Medical Uses
Alzheimer's disease: Mild to moderate.
How it's taken
Usually taken once a day at bedtime.
Your doctor decides the right dose for you and how long to take it.
Your doctor decides the right dose for you. Follow their instructions and the label.
Common Side Effects
Nausea
Diarrhoea.
Sleep problems
Vivid dreams.
Slow heartbeat
Dizziness.
Interactions
Beta blockers
Slow heart rate further.
Critical Warnings
Slow pulse or fainting
Report it.
Stomach ulcers
Tell your doctor.
Sources and further reading
Last updated 21 October 2026. For more detail, see these trusted health organisations.
- Donepezil: drug information(opens in a new tab) · MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Donepezil: a medicine to treat some types of dementia(opens in a new tab) · NHS