Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S

Description

About

Cognitive disorders of the brain incapacitate the learning and memory-forming ability of a person among other problems.  Alzheimer’s is one such neurological condition that largely affects the memory of a person most commonly affecting the elderly age group (65 years and above). In these patients, degeneration of neurons and quantity of neurotransmitters particularly acetylcholine starts to diminish over a period which compromises normal brain function.  Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is a neuroprotective medicine that belongs to a class of drugs called “Cholinesterase inhibitors”. It helps to improve symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. It may be used in combination with other medicines to manage the symptoms.

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is chemically composed of Donepezil, which works by preventing the immediate breakdown of an important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine after its release by an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase. It does so by inhibiting this enzyme which makes acetylcholine available and prevents its depletion. Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is prescribed for the duration as decided by your doctor. It can last up to 12 to 24 weeks depending on your condition.

This medicine is available in the form of oral tablets to be taken by mouth with or without food. In general, it is prescribed to be taken once a day, usually at night. It may be used in combination therapy. Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is safe to be given to adults, but children and adolescents below 18 years must not receive it due to safety risks. Women who are pregnant or want to conceive a baby should not use this medicine without consulting a doctor first. Moreover, consuming alcohol-based beverages is discouraged due to their possible drug-drug interaction. The most common side effects of this medication are nausea, headache, dizziness, hallucinations, and behavioral changes. 

Indications

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is a neurological drug prescribed to treat:

• Alzheimer’s Disease 

How does Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S work?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is chemically composed of Donepezil, which works by preventing the immediate breakdown of an important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine after its release, by an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase. It does so by inhibiting this enzyme which makes acetylcholine available and prevents its depletion. 

How to use Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is available in the form of dispersible tablets. Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve in saliva then swallow the tablet with a glass of water, do not chew, this can be taken with or without food. In general, the treatment with Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is usually prescribed to be taken once every night at bedtime, the dose being dependent on the seriousness of the condition, duration of therapy, the patient’s response to the medicine, and the dose of adjunct medicine being taken.  

The prescribed dose of Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S can be started on the lower side like 5 mg which can be increased to higher potency in a few weeks’ time. Treatment is relatively long-term and can last between 12 weeks up to 1 year, depending on the status of the patient’s symptoms.  Do not stop taking Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S without completing the course of your therapy even if you feel like your symptoms have improved. Careful consideration must be given to liver adequacy when prescribing the drug. 

Available Potency and Form of Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S

5 mg   – Tablets 

10 mg – Tablets 

Dosage

Adult Dose

The treatment may or may not include a combination of Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S with other neuroprotective agents, to be taken orally once a day in the following dose :

Starting Dose: 5 mg tablet to be taken orally, once every night for 4 to 6 weeks

After 4 weeks increase the dose to 10 mg tablet to be taken orally, once every night

Maximum daily safe dose: 10 mg

In case of severe symptoms, the dosage can still be increased consult your doctor

Child Dose

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is not prescribed to children and adolescents below 18 years of age

Elderly dose

The safety concerns of Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S in the elderly population may require careful monitoring of liver function and other factors. Your doctor should set the most appropriate dose for you based on your medical history. Doses are adjusted according to a liver impairment or other medications being taken concurrently, and the duration of the treatment.

*Special Doses

Liver inadequacy may require dose adjustment. In case of severe liver impairment, Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is likely to be withdrawn as a part of the regimen

Pregnancy use and lactation

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is FDA pregnancy risk category C which has shown adverse effects on the unborn baby in studies and trials conducted on animals, therefore if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to conceive a baby, please consult your doctor. Also Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S may be secreted into human milk, if you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking it.

Contraindications

Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S:

• Allergic reaction to Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S

• Severe liver inadequacy 

• Gastric ulcers / gastric bleeding or perforation 

• Chronic lung conditions such as asthma

• History of seizures 

• Benign prostate hyperplasia 

• History of serious heart diseases such as arrhythmias 

• Pregnancy 

Precautions‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌tell‌ ‌your‌ ‌doctor‌ ‌about‌ ‌any‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌following‌ ‌conditions‌ ‌before using the ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S:‌ ‌

• A history of allergy to any or similar medicines

• In the case of liver disease before starting the treatment with ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S check LFTs, which must be monitored during the treatment as well. In case of severe liver inadequacy, this drug is prohibited

• If you have a history of heart conditions monitor closely since ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is known to affect heart rhythm causing prolongation of QT interval on ECG

• Low blood levels of potassium and magnesium can put you at risk of arrhythmias, causing QT prolongation. The risk gets even bigger if you are also using diuretics

• If you are taking NSAID analgesics, taking it with ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S can increase the risk of bleeding in the gut 

• ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S should be monitored closely if there is a history of gastric bleeding, caution is advised since it tends to increase the acid secretion in the stomach 

• ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S can make it difficult to breathe at times, in case you have a longstanding lung disease make sure to discuss it with your doctor

• If you have conditions that  make it difficult for you to urinate, ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is not advised since it causes difficulty in peeing

• In case of pregnancy if you are already using ‌Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S consult the doctor at once who will only prescribe it if considered necessary since it poses a threat to an unborn baby

• Always provide a complete list of your current medication to the doctor or laboratory personnel 

• Before undergoing any surgical procedure discuss with your doctor who might adjust your dose 

Interaction with other medications

Certain medications could interact with Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S and may increase or decrease its absorption, in which case, your doctor might alter your dosage. A few of these interacting drugs are given below:

• Antiarrhythmics like amiodarone 

• Antidepressants like citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, etc

• Azole antifungals 

• Anti-Seizure like carbamazepine, phenytoin 

• Antimalarials like artemether, lumefantrine, chloroquine 

• Muscle relaxants like diazepam , 

• Centrally acting anesthetics (general anesthesia)

• Anticholinergics like tolterodine

• Analgesics like ibuprofen, naproxen 

• Beta-blockers such as propranolol 

• Other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine, rivastigmine

Adverse effects

Like most medicines, Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S has some side effects which include:

Common Side effects

• Nausea 

• Headache 

• Indigestion 

• Diarrhea 

• Dizziness

• Muscle cramps 

• Flu-like symptoms  

• Fatigue 

• Skin rash 

• Urine incontinence 

Rare side effects

• Anaphylactic reaction 

• Bradycardia 

• Arrhythmias  

• Increased creatinine kinase levels in the blood

• Hallucinations 

• Behavioral changes 

• Appetite loss 

• Palpitations 

• Convulsions 

• Kidney damage 

• Insomnia 

• Nightmares 

• Syncope/fainting spells 

List Of How to Deal With Certain Adverse Effects

Fatigue – Patients experiencing this adverse effect are advised to take deep breaths, intake tea or coffee, get a good night’s rest, and not overburden themselves for a few days.

Feeling drowsy – If the medication makes you feel drowsy or sleepy, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, and do not rise too fast or immediately from a sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.

Headaches – In which case make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the use of alcohol. Take a prescribed painkiller. Consult your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe

Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) or diarrhea – Avoid eating rich or spicy food. It might help to take medication after food. If you’re sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water. 

Feeling dizzy (lightheaded) or weak –If the medication makes you feel dizzy or weak, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, and do not rise too fast or immediately from sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.

Skin Rash – It can be eased by applying soothing and healing lotions or creams such as calamine lotion/cream. Applying a cold compress to the rash helps reduce itchiness and redness caused by the rash. Antihistamine (prescribed by a doctor) is also recommended as an effective way to combat any skin rash.

Flu-like symptoms – To manage symptoms, patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest and sleep. Take an antihistamine, a nasal decongestant, or a lozenge to feel better when needed.

Heartburn – This can be dealt with by chewing on mint-flavored gum that’ll help neutralize the acid in the body. Standing up straighter, adding ginger to the daily diet, elevating the patient’s upper body, and having licorice supplements has shown to provide relief.

Muscular Aches and Pains – A hot or cold compress can be placed at the area of discomfort to bring relief; an over the counter pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be ingested to bring ease as well. Avoid high intensity exercise while suffering from muscular pain.

FAQs

#1. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S DO?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S prevents the immediate breakdown of a very important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine after its release, by an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase. It does so by inhibiting this enzyme which makes acetylcholine available and prevents its depletion and allows your brain to function properly.

#2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S TO START WORKING?

You will start feeling better in about  2 to 4 weeks’ time after you start taking Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S

#3. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S FOR?

Time duration depends on the response of the improvement in your symptoms. Your doctor, your treatment can last from 12 weeks to 1 year.

#4. CAN I STOP TAKING Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Do not just stop taking the medicine on your own, make sure to complete your treatment course even if you feel better. Stopping it suddenly may cause the return of your symptoms. 

#5. CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WITH Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Consuming alcohol when taking Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S may cause excessive drowsiness and could increase the risk of liver damage and may interact with this drug, hence should be avoided. 

#6. WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Taking more than required can cause serious side effects. If you have taken too much of the prescribed Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S you may experience symptoms of toxicity which will vary depending on the dose ingested, for example, fast pounding, irregular heartbeat, upset stomach, blurred vision, fainting, dizziness, seizures, or life-threatening severe symptoms. Contact your doctor or emergency immediately if you have any of these symptoms. 

#7. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is taken once every night so you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s about time until your next dose, in which case you should skip the missed dose. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm, or use a pill organizer or a mobile application so you do not miss any dose. Make sure to complete your course of treatment even if you feel better and think you do not need to take it anymore.

#8. CAN I TAKE Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S has safety concerns for unborn babies and can cause serious defects in these babies. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to conceive a baby, please consult your doctor before using Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S. 

#9. CAN I DRIVE OR RIDE A BIKE AFTER TAKING Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Know how your body handles the medicine. Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S can make you dizzy so make sure you know how your body reacts while using ‘product’. Do not drive or use any sharp or heavy machinery until you feel normal again.

#10. IS IT SAFE TO HAVE {{PRODUCT}} BEFORE UNDERGOING ANY SURGERY?

Always discuss with your doctor, that if the surgical procedure involves general anesthesia, the doctor may have to adjust your dose since anesthetics can interact with Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S.

#11. HOW TO STORE Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S is to be kept away from the reach of children, in a cool dry place at room temperature away from direct sunlight and humidity as that tends to ruin certain drugs.

#12. CAN I TAKE ANTACIDS WITH Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S may increase acid secretion in your stomach which can give you acidity especially if you already have stomach problems. Antacids like omeprazole are not known to interact with Donecept 10mg Tablet 10 ‘S, discuss with your doctor about the most suitable medicine for you.