Clinical information
Common uses
- Alzheimer's disease symptoms
- dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's dementia
- mixed dementia
Common side effects
- diarrhoea
- headaches
- feeling sick (nausea)
- feeling sleepy in the daytime or dizzy
Cautions
- tell your doctor about heart problems or slow heartbeat
- caution with stomach ulcers, asthma or COPD
- alcohol stops it working as well
- seizures need emergency help
Interactions
- heart medicines like amiodarone, atenolol, digoxin, verapamil
- epilepsy medicines such as phenytoin or carbamazepine
- NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen (check first)
- risperidone, olanzapine, fluoxetine and other mental health medicines
- antibiotics such as erythromycin or rifampicin
- St John's wort (lowers donepezil levels)
Pregnancy: not recommended — talk to your doctor
Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: NHS Medicines A–Z, nhs.uk/medicines/donepezil (accessed 2026-08-16)