Donepezil in the treatment of severe Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Donepezil hydrochloride is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In 2006, the US FDA approved donepezil for the treatment of severe AD. Consequently, donepezil became the first drug approved for the treatment of all three stages (mild, moderate and severe) of AD. Numerous clinical trials attest not only to the safety and tolerability of donepezil, but also to it’s ability to significantly provide benefits in memory, cognition and activities of daily living for people suffering from severe AD. Side effects associated with donepezil use are generally regarded as mild and transient, and are often associated with the cholinergic properties of the drug. Such side effects consist mainly of gastrointestinal complaints that are sometimes alleviated by slowing down the titration schedule while aiming to reach a target dose. Although donepezil is regarded as an efficacious treatment capable of slowing the progression of symptoms associated with AD, the scient...