Aricept - New Med
 

Does anyone with TBI take Aricept? My neurologist has prescribed Aricept for my TBI - memory (or lack thereof):)

If you are taking it, has it helped? What are the side effects you have experienced?

So far, after 2 weeks on it, I'm nauseated a lot and very tired and some muscle cramping. I'm waiting to see if this goes away and to see if it is helping my memory.

Melek

Aricept is an Alzheimers med. Or should I say was developed for Alzheimers. It's been rx'ed for Parkinson's and a few other conditions for years.

My father took it. Few side effects. It brought back even childhood memories. Amazing.

Good luck with it. Keep us posted.

:hug:

Thanks for reply.

My neurologist did tell me it was originally designed for Alzheimers and dementia (though I have neither). He hopes it will help me with my memory (and I'm hoping processing) issues.

Anyway, I'll keep posted for anyone who has the same issues - might be an hopeful answer to memory impairment.

This med was prescribed after 2 MRI's that revealed high signal changes not related to MS nor any other disease - but due from post-traumatic changes along with neuropsychological evaluation concluding I have cognitive disorder due to head trauma.

Melek

It's nice to know someone else is taking this
 

I am taking the exelon patch, pretty much the same as aricept only in patch form. I was so bad that I think my doctor thought I was going to overdose on pills so at the last minute she switched it.
:wink:

Been on for 4 months now. Used to have the most vivid dreams when I first started. Learned to put it on before bed so that It's peak time would be in the morning. If taken at mid day it would start kicking on at bed time. Didn't sleep much for that first month.

I would describe that first few months of dreaming as very surreal. Sometimes I would wake up and still be in the dream for nearly an hour. those days were fun conversations. One time at night I had to rip it off because I would literally see lighted grid patterns of my brain firing whenever my eyes were closed. It was pretty dramatic.

Once you get through the initial breaking in period, though, it is awesome. I sometimes feel like my old self. Still have higher cognitive difficulties, but if I respect my limitations and don't push it, I feel normal or what I once thought of as normal.

Did have some issues in the 2nd and 3rd months with my blood pressure spiking, but it has since gone back down. Also heartburn has become a huge issue. Try exercising a little with it and you will be amazed at how alive you feel.

Hope it works well for you.

Angie

Did they tell you that you can only be on it for two years? I often wonder why. I know this use is off label and wonder if there is something we need to know.

Unfortunately, I didn't make it through 2 months. I was terribly nauseated, leg cramping, diarrhea that my doctor took me off of it. I did think I was doing 'better' cognitively but the side effects for me were bad. I now take a light anti-depressant for headaches, which helps; cognitively....well it is what it is...*smiles*

I've been taking Aricept for at least 4 years, tbi in 98. My doc gives me samples, I take 5 mg in the AM. He has also given me Razadyne, (similar family of med) and that works very well too.
I feel more alert, my retrieval is better, so too is my "further along memory, in other words, I remember more when I take the med!"
I do agree with the dreams and difficulty sleeping, if taken too late in the day.
I've tried 10 mg, and it's got more side effects, without being more helpful.
The razadyne seems to have less side effects, but I have less experience with it.

I take Namenda @ bedtime, but that's for RSD pain. It does help the aricept a bit though....

Be well!

Pete
Asb

I have been taking Aricept 10mg for a some months now and on Friday I am going to ask if I can go up to 23mg.

Aricept seems to make me sharper, and maybe does even help my memory a little. I am still forgetful on some things but my Occupational Therapist has me doing word scrambles and where before I couldn't do them or would quit frustrated, now I am able to work on 5-6 letter words

I started taking Aricept after my TBI in 2008, but discontinued it. I was so involved in Cognitive Therapy I just neglected it. Now my neuropsychiatrist has started me on it again, I'm up to 10mg/day and feel it is doing something good. The doc says a 23mg dose is the goal. I hope I don't have some of the serious side effects, so far all has been well.

I have been prescribed aricept as well....
 

I was prescribed this as well - been taking 5mg for about a month - went back to see neurologist - she has me upto the 10mg now - I hope is helps.

just wondering since this post was back a while are you all still taking this med? is it a life time comittment? I know it is extremely expensive

Getting some cognitive improvements is a worthwhile goal. Those improvements from use of a drug such as Aricept would likely be temporary.

There is little evidence the Aricept (donepezil) helps with concussion. It's use is in delaying or slowing the progression of AD.

Donepezil hydrochloride is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function.

The question could be asked, Would getting the brain healthy with nutritional supplements be as effective or more effective, especially in creating a lasting improvement without the need for medication. Does the action of Aricept become a crutch that prevents the brain from re-establishing proper chemical balance.

The contra-indications of concomitant use of other meds puts some severe limitations on treating other symptoms, especially NSAID pain meds and nutritional supplements. This is in addition to the side-effects that are similar to the common cluster of PCS symptoms.

The NIH web site states: <Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); bethanechol (Duvoid, Urabeth, Urecholine); carbamazepine (Tegretol); dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone); ipratropium (Atrovent); ketoconazole (Nizoral); medications for glaucoma, irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); quinidine (Quinidex); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding; an ulcer,asthma, or obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema), or heart disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking donepezil, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking donepezil.>

Could this be simply a "Try this and see if it helps" shot in the dark?

I just started taking Aircept 5mg but I cut it in half probably not suppose to. I have noticed fatigue but that was nothing unusual. Tonight will be my 4th dose. I hope it helps with focusing and memory.

megrod,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I would work on learning memory work-arounds rather than take Aricept. The doctor is taking a shot in the dark by prescribing it.

The memory problems from PCS are quite different than the memory problems from Alzheimer's Disease.

Tell us about your PCS. There is lots of great help here.

My best to you.