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Donepezil

Aricept, Demelan, Donepezil +pharma, Donepezil Accord · ATC code N06DA02

Also known as: Aricept · Brand names: Demelan, Donepezil +pharma, Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Actavis, Donepezil Bluefish, Donepezil Devatis, Donepezil Genericon, Donepezil Hcl, Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Ratiopharm, Donepezil Stada, Donepezil Aaa, Donepezil Al, Donepezil Elpen, Donepezil-Hcl …

Key facts
Active substance
Donepezil
Drug class
Antidementia agent
ATC code
N06DA02
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-27

Key facts

Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor. Per the US prescribing information (Aricept), it is used to treat dementia of the Alzheimer's type in mild, moderate and severe stages.

What it is used for

  • Dementia of the Alzheimer's type (mild, moderate and severe)

Dosing

  • Starting dose 5 mg once daily in the evening, just before retiring
  • Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: maximum 10 mg per day; 10 mg only after 4 to 6 weeks on 5 mg
  • Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: maximum 23 mg per day; 23 mg only after at least 3 months on 10 mg
  • With or without food; the 23 mg tablet is not split, crushed or chewed
  • Orally disintegrating tablet dissolves on the tongue, followed by water

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or piperidine derivatives

Important warnings

  • Exaggerated succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia
  • Vagotonic effects: bradycardia, heart block and syncope
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, more frequent at higher doses
  • Peptic ulcer disease and GI bleeding, weight loss
  • Bladder outflow obstruction, seizures and worsening of pulmonary conditions possible

Side effects

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • 23 mg vs. 10 mg daily: nausea 11.8% vs. 3.4%, vomiting 9.2% vs. 2.5%
  • Bradycardia, heart block, syncope
  • Weight loss, GI bleeding, seizures

Interactions

  • May interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications
  • Synergistic effect with succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blockers and cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • No adequate data in pregnancy; in rats, dosing in late pregnancy increased stillbirths

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

Common questions – ask Medelix

For patients

Patient information (US)

Patient information (US) →

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • AriceptPfizer Corporation Austria Ges.M.B.H. · 2 register entries
  • DemelanG.L. Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil +pharma+pharma Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil AccordAccord Healthcare B.V. · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil ActavisActavis Group Ptc Ehf. · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil BluefishBluefish Pharmaceuticals Ab · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil DevatisDevatis Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil GenericonGenericon Pharma Gesellschaft M.B.H. · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil Hcl1a Pharma Gmbh, Sandoz Gmbh · 2 register entries
  • Donepezil KrkaKrka, D.D., Novo Mesto · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil RatiopharmTeva B.V · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil StadaStada Arzneimittel Gmbh · 2 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Germany

  • AriceptEisai Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil AaaAaa-Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil AlAliud Pharma Gmbh · 2 register entries
  • Donepezil ElpenElpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. · 1 register entry
  • Donepezil-Hcl1 A Pharma Gmbh, Ratiopharm Gmbh, Puren Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg, Zentiva Pharma Gmbh, Basics Gmbh, Abz-Pharma Gmbh · 7 register entries
  • Donepezil StadaStadapharm Gmbh · 2 register entries
  • Donepezilhydrochlorid AlAliud Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Donepezilhydrochlorid BluefishBluefish Pharmaceuticals Ab · 1 register entry
  • Donepezilhydrochlorid HennigHennig Arzneimittel Gmbh & Co. Kg · 1 register entry
  • Donepezilhydrochlorid HeumannHeumann Pharma Gmbh & Co. Generica Kg · 1 register entry
  • Donepezilhydrochlorid JutaJuta Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • MedozilMedochemie Ltd. · 1 register entry
Show all 13 brand names
  • YasnalTad Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Turkey

  • AlzamedWORLD MEDICINE İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • AlzancerNOBEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 5 register entries
  • AlzepilKOÇAK FARMA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • AlzilDEVA HOLDİNG A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • AndemANGELİNİ İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 6 register entries
  • AriceptPFİZER PFE İLAÇLARI A.Ş. · 6 register entries
  • ArypezBİOFARMA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • DementALİ RAİF İLAÇ SAN. A.Ş. · 5 register entries
  • DeziraİLKO İLAÇ SAN.VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • DoenzaSANOVEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 6 register entries
  • DoncepPLATİN KİMYA MÜMESSİLLİK VE DIŞ TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • DonefixCELTİS İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
Show all 18 brand names
  • DozylABDİ İBRAHİM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 9 register entries
  • MemkarNOBEL SAĞLIK ÜRÜNLERİ LTD ŞTİ · 4 register entries
  • NeuremNEUTEC İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş · 4 register entries
  • RemelefMÜNİR ŞAHİN İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • RewindNEUTEC İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş · 4 register entries
  • ZhedonSANTA FARMA İLAÇ SAN. A.Ş. · 6 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

USA

  • AriceptEisai Inc. · 1 register entry

Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-28

Brand names in 26 more European countries
Belgium
Aricept, Donepezil
Bulgaria
Алзамед, Алзанцер, Донепезил Акорд, Донецепт, Допезал, Яснал
Croatia
Aricept, Donepezil Pliva, Yasnal
Cyprus
Alertan, Aricept, Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Jubilant, Donepezil Krka, Rafazil
Czechia
Alzil, Aricept, Darezil, Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Actavis, Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Sandoz, Donepezil Sanexcel, Donepezil Viatris, Donpethon, Dospelin, Kognezil, Landex, Yasnal
Denmark
Donepezil "sandoz", Donepezil Jubilant, Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Stada, Donepezilhydrochlorid Accord
Estonia
Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Actavis, Doneprion, Donerion, Yasnal Q-Tab
Finland
Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Orion
France
Aricept, Donepezil Arrow, Donepezil Biogaran, Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Sandoz, Donepezil Teva, Donepezil Viatris, Donepezil Zentiva, Donepezil Zydus
Greece
Adtreat, Aricept, Aripezil, Caricia, Cenipil, Ciclodin, Covolos, Dementis, Demezilon, Dezial, Donegal, Donepezil Genepharm, Donepezil Mylan, Donester, Dospelin, Dozilax, Filosept®, Hania, Nepanizil, Nepezil, Oromentis, Penezil, Pezale, Peziled, Rafazil, Sulbenin, Venaxen, Zakalmer, Zinocept, Zopitel
Hungary
Alzepil, Donecept, Donefien, Donepezil Goodwill, Donepezil Sanexcel, Donestad, Donesyn, Palixid, Yasnal
Iceland
Donepezil Actavis
Ireland
Aricept, Aripil, Donepezil Accord Healthcare Ireland, Donepezil Hydrochloride Brillpharma (Ireland), Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Teva, Dozept
Italy
Blixie, Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Almus, Donepezil Alter, Donepezil Aurobindo, Donepezil Doc Generici, Donepezil Eg, Donepezil Mylan Generics, Donepezil Sandoz, Donepezil Sun, Donepezil Teva, Donepezil Zentiva, Lizidra, Yasnal, Yasnoro
Lithuania
Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Actavis, Donerion, Yasnal
Luxembourg
Aricept, Donepezil Eg, Donepezil Juta
Malta
Alertan, Donepezil Hydrochloride Aurobindo Pharma (Malta), Donepezil Jubilant
Netherlands
Donepezil Hcl Devatis, Donepezilhydrochloride Ipca
Norway
Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Actavis, Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Sandoz
Poland
Alzepezil, Cogiton, Donatine, Donecept, Donectil Odt, Donepex, Donepezil Bluefish, Donepezil Sanexcel, Donesyn, Memorion, Ricordo, Yasnal
Portugal
Aricept, Donepezil Teva, Donepezilo Alter Genéricos, Donepezilo Aurovitas, Donepezilo Azevedos, Donepezilo Bluepharma, Donepezilo Bluesar, Donepezilo Eurogenus, Donepezilo Farmalider, Donepezilo Farmoz, Donepezilo Fixime, Donepezilo Genedec, Donepezilo Generis, Donepezilo Jaba, Donepezilo Jj Bishop, Donepezilo Krka, Donepezilo Lesip, Donepezilo Mylan, Donepezilo Orua, Donepezilo Pentafarma, Donepezilo Pharmakern, Donepezilo Ripzen, Donepezilo Sandoz, Donepezilo Stada, Donepezilo Tolife, Donepezilo Zentiva, Lixben
Romania
Aricept Evess, Davia, Donecept, Donepezil Sanexcel, Donepezil Stada, Dospelin, Yasnal
Slovakia
Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Viatris, Donesyn, Medozil, Yasnal
Slovenia
Donepezil Pliva, Donepezil Viatris, Yasnal
Spain
Aricept, Cognem, Donepezil Mabo, Donepezilo Almus, Donepezilo Alter, Donepezilo Aurovitas, Donepezilo Cinfa, Donepezilo Combix, Donepezilo Durban, Donepezilo Flas Aurovitas Spain, Donepezilo Flas Cinfa, Donepezilo Flas Kern Pharma, Donepezilo Flas Pharma Combix, Donepezilo Flas Sandoz, Donepezilo Flas Stada, Donepezilo Flas Tecnigen, Donepezilo Flas Viatris Pharmaceuticals, Donepezilo Kern Pharma, Donepezilo Krka, Donepezilo Mabo, Donepezilo Mylan, Donepezilo Normon, Donepezilo Pensa, Donepezilo Qualigen, Donepezilo Ratio, Donepezilo Sandoz, Donepezilo Sanovel, Donepezilo Stada, Donepezilo Sun, Donepezilo Tarbis, Donepezilo Tecnigen, Donepezilo Teva, Donepezilo Ur, Lixben, Pezimax, Yasnal
Sweden
Donepezil Accord, Donepezil Actavis, Donepezil Jubilant, Donepezil Krka, Donepezil Orion, Donepezil Sandoz, Donepezil Stada, Donepezil Viatris

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aricept (Eisai Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2021-12-30. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=98e451e1-e4d7-4439-a675-c5457ba20975
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  5. U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-28. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/
  6. Wikidata (CC0): ATC N06DA.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.