About Donepezil

Donepezil is a medicine that helps with some types of dementia.

It does not cure dementia. However, it treats some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

It can also help with mixed dementia. This is when you have more than one type of dementia.

Donepezil is available on prescription only.

It comes as tablets, including tablets that melt in your mouth, and as a liquid that you swallow.

Key facts

Donepezil is not a cure for dementia but it can help with symptoms like being forgetful or confused.
It usually takes at least a month for donepezil to start working, but it can take longer for some people.
The most common side effects of donepezil are diarrhoea, headaches and feeling sick (nausea).
You can take it with or without food.
Drinking alcohol stops donepezil from working as well as it should. It also increases the risk of side effects.

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