Donepezil is recommended to be taken before going to bed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects or nausea, which is commonly seen in some patients in the first few weeks of treatment.

Gastrointestinal side effects may appear during the first few weeks of treatment with Donepezil. This can be minimized by taking Donepezil at bedtime and with food. Generally, these side effects are mild and disappear within a few weeks with continued treatment.

Within the first month of treatment with Donepezil, you may experience improvement in thinking and remembering (cognitive effect). However, it may take about 12 weeks to see the full benefits.

Do not stop Donepezil without consulting your doctor. This medicine only helps to control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, it may take several weeks to show benefits, so do not be discouraged if you do not see an improvement straight away. But, in case your condition starts worsening and you feel that it is no longer helping you, then you should consult a doctor before stopping it.

Donepezil gets removed from the body very slowly. It takes about two weeks or more for Donepezil to be completely removed from the system.

No, Donepezil does not cause depression. If you are experiencing symptoms, then it could be due to existing Alzheimer’s disease.

Taking more than the recommended dose of Donepezil may cause vomiting, increased sweating or saliva production, slow heartbeat, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, seizures or fits, weakness, low blood pressure, convulsions, and inability to control your bowel motions or passing of urine (incontinence). You should seek immediate help from a doctor or emergency service of a nearby hospital.

Donepezil does not interfere with the working of indomethacin, but indomethacin individually increases the risk of stomach bleeding when taken for a long time. Therefore, if you experience any symptoms of stomach bleeding, consult your doctor immediately.

Hallucinations are a common side effect of Donepezil, though not everyone is affected. Other common psychiatric side effects include agitation, aggressive behavior, nightmares, and abnormal dreams.

Donepezil should not be taken by patients who have hypersensitivity to Donepezil hydrochloride, piperidine derivatives, or to any active ingredients used in the medicine. Also, it should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Yes, insomnia (sleeplessness) is a common side effect of Donepezil. Dizziness and fainting can also be seen as common side effects. Though these side effects are common, they do not occur in everyone.