Dimenta is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate dementia of Alzheimer's type.
Donepezil Hydrochloride is a centrally acting anticholinesterase agent. It binds reversibly with acetylcholinesterase and inactivates it, thus inhibiting hydrolysis of acetylcholine. As a result the concentration of acetylcholine increases at cholinergic synapses in the brain.
5 mg once daily orally at bed time. The 5 mg/day dose should be maintained for at least one month in order to allow the earliest clinical responses to treatment to be assessed and to allow steady-state concentrations of donepezil hydrochloride to be achieved. Following a one-month clinical assessment of treatment at 5 mg/day, the dose can be increased to 10 mg/day (once-a-day dosing). Since food does not affect the rate or extent of absorption of donepezil, it can be administered with or without food.
Generally well tolerated but some patients may experience nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea. These adverse events are of mild intensity and transient, resolving during continued treatment without the need for dose modification. Less frequent side effects are insomnia, fatigue, anorexia, muscle cramps, generalized seizure etc.
Always consult a registered doctor before taking any medicine. This information is for general knowledge only.
Donepezil is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives.
Drugs with anticholinergic properties and which cross into the brain, such as atropine, benztropine produce the opposite effects of Dimenta and should be avoided during therapy with donepezil. Medication with carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, phenytoin may reduce the effect of donepezil whereas ketoconazole, quinidine, cimetidine may increase the effects.
Caution should be taken in sick sinus syndrome or other supraventricular conduction abnormalities, patients at risk of developing peptic ulcers, asthma, obstructive airway disease and during anaesthetic procedure.