Increased Saliva with Donepezil

Winnie/2025

Good morning! My DH was diagnosed last year with White Matter Small Vascular Disease and earlier this year was also confirmed with Alzheimer’s by blood test and Nuclear Pet Scan. He started the Donepezil in February. A lot of fatigue, a little nausea but manageable. However, it also seems like he has increased saliva during the night and also as soon as his eyes close a little when he’s catching a nap during the day . Sometimes he catches some even when he’s awake.. Needless to say, he very uncomfortable and unhappy with this always with tissues in his hand. Anyone else noticed this on the Alzheimer’s meds? With doctors ok he stopped the meds and we see the doctor next week to see if he can try something else. Thank you in advance for any input.

Dio

What's the dosage? Perhaps scale back the dosage. To be honest, I never saw the effects of Donepezil or rivastigmine as these are supposed to improve cognition. My DH never suffered any immediate side effects from these meds. With that said, however, he's been taking donepezil and seroquel to calm him and now depakote to fight off severe combativeness…for awhile now and he's put on some weight, but is it due to meds? Or did the meds help improve his appetite so he's eating more? He is low on sodium and we're monitoring it.

Winnie/2025

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/246849#Comment_246849

He’s still on the lowest dose. We see his doctor next week to possibly try a different medication.