Donecil 10MG

Pietas61

Hello, New to forum as of yesterday. My wife age 56 was just diagnosed will early stage alzheimer's. The Dr. put her on 10mg of Donecil. For those using this drug is it a good drug? Are there some common unpleasant side effects?

I will be pursuing the newly approved Lacanemeb for her as soon as be relocate back to USA. I am assuming there is a discussion on the board about this someplace also?

I tried to search for answers here but I must be doing something wrong as far as my search method as I assume there are drug discussions on the forum.

DrMichaelSG

Hello Pietas,

So sorry to hear that you and your LO are having to go through this.

I'm no expert on medications that purport to treat dementia, but I assume that you must be from Ecuador, as "donecil" is the trade name for the generic (donepezil) in Ecuador.

I have DLB, and before my diagnosis (2018), I was prescribed donepezil for FTD (associated with my diagnosis of MND). Unfortunately, I began to have complex (as well as horrifying and extremely vivid) visual hallucinations. These occurred mostly in the middle of the night, when a laughing -- transluscent -- two-feet tall fluorescent red man would run through the bedroom (after 2-3 nights, I became used to the hallucination, and I chased it). My neurologist stopped the drug, and the hallucinations stopped immediately.

But I am admittedly VERY sensitive to most medications -- if there is a "rare" side effect/ contraindication, I pay very close attention, because I'm inclined to experience most.

I believe that hallucinations are considered as rare side effect of donepezil, but hallucinations DO occur with this drug. That said, many folks have excellent outcomes with donepezil (Aricept), and so I'm more than sure that others here have FAR better insight than I do.

Pietas61

Thank-You. I will watch closely as my wife is very sensitive to medications and has stayed away from any prescriptions throughout these past years.

ajanda28

Donepizil also has GI side effects so just be aware

BPS

My wife has been taking donepezil for about 7 years and has had no problem. Recently she has started having delusions and hallucinations but after being on donepezil for so long I don't think that is the cause. I don't know if it has really done much good. I couldn't tell a difference when she started, but it has taken 7 years from mild Alzheimer's (but enough to be tested) to where she is now, early stage 6 so maybe it has helped.

traysjourney

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/67217/donecil-10mg

Hello. I’m sorry to hear about your wife. She’s lucky to have your support. Curious, did they specify ALZ? I ask as I’m 57 young onset and haven’t been classified yet. Thanks.

NUMber2

My mom has taken donepezil for almost 4 years. We think it really helped her but we'll never truly know. She's also very sensitive to drugs. 10mg gave her daytime and nightime vivid nightmares and hallucinations. 5 mg caused less severe nightmares. Because she was on such a low dose, it was suggested that it was no longer effective. She's been off of it almost 3 weeks. She reported that her nightmares stopped immediately. Unfortunately we can't tell if she is any different, cognitively speaking, without it. It would be great to try a new medicine.

Janutt

I take donezipil,;10mg. I started at 5mg last Jan,2023, then just increased to 10mg. I did have hallucinationas at the beginning but I was afraid it might have been because of my strokes. The hallucinations have weaned now. Nightmares have dissipated as well.

NUMber2

Thank you for that information!! I will talk to her doctor about that. I think donepezil really helped her at the beginning. Maybe an increase is what she needs now.

My thoughts are with you! ❤️

charley0419

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/190336#Comment_190336

Hi you seem to know your stuff , my wife op Memantine 10 mg 2x a day. How you know it helps? My wife has short term loss gets confused, no driving but everything else her self. Doesn’t have interest in cooking any more.