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Once-A-Day Aricept® (donepezil HCl)

Studies showed ARICEPT
slowed the progression of
Alzheimer's symptoms.
It improved cognition and
slowed the decline of
overall function.

ARICEPT may work
differently for each
person. For those who
respond, symptoms may
improve, they may
stabilize, or they may
progress more slowly
than without ARICEPT.

Starting Treatment

Starting Alzheimer's treatment earlier means that you may be able to start slowing symptoms sooner.

Through research, we are learning more about how Alzheimer's affects the brain. We do not yet know how to prevent or cure it, but we do know how to treat its symptoms.

What You May See
It may take some time to see the benefits of ARICEPT. ARICEPT may work differently for each person. For those who respond:
  • Symptoms may improve
  • Symptoms may stabilize
  • Symptoms may progress more slowly than without ARICEPT

Alzheimer's is an illness that gets worse over time. With Alzheimer's, no change or slower decline can also mean that ARICEPT is working.

It may take several weeks or longer to start seeing the benefits of ARICEPT. Some people may experience an improvement in symptoms for several months, and then begin to see a decline. This is normal — it likely means that ARICEPT is working but the disease continues to progress.

If you are unsure if ARICEPT is working, don't stop taking it without talking to the doctor first. One study showed that when treatment was stopped, it led to a loss of benefits.

Functional Abilities

Slowing the symptoms of Alzheimer's may mean still being able to dress, make phone calls, or bathe without help awhile longer. Think of the difference that could make for you or your loved one.

In one study, doctors looked at people with Alzheimer's who took ARICEPT or sugar pills for up to 1 year. The doctors compared how people in the 2 groups could do daily tasks. Here is what the study showed: People who took ARICEPT 10 mg once a day could keep doing everyday things longer than those who took sugar pills.

daily task

ARICEPT helped with daily tasks, which may include:
  • Using the phone
  • Handling mail
  • Doing household chores
  • Getting dressed
  • Eating meals
  • Managing money without help
ARICEPT May Help with Behavior in Mild and Moderate Alzheimer's

One study showed that when ARICEPT treatment was stopped, some caregivers experienced stress due to an increase in their loved one’s behavior problems, which may include anxiety and irritability. Don’t forget, ARICEPT may only help your loved one with Alzheimer’s-related behavior problems if they keep taking it.

In studies, researchers found that, on average, when compared to those who took a sugar pill:
  • People who took ARICEPT did better on a test that measures cognition, which may include learning, remembering, and figuring things out.
  • ARICEPT slowed the loss of overall function, which may include effects on behavior and everyday tasks.

Severe Alzheimer's
In a study that measures cognition, researchers found that, on average:
  • People who took ARICEPT did better on thinking tests than those who took a sugar pill

Some caregivers may experience increased stress due to an increase in problems with their loved one’s behavior, caused by Alzheimer’s. One study in mild to moderate patients showed that ARICEPT improved patient behavior compared to a placebo. Caregivers with a loved one on ARICEPT experienced less distress dealing with those behaviors.

Find out how ARICEPT is thought to work
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