Aricept vs. Exelon

• Are Exelon and Aricept the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aricept?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Exelon?
• What Is Aricept?
• What Is Exelon?
• What Drugs Interact with Aricept?
• What Drugs Interact with Exelon?
• How Should Aricept Be Taken?
• How Should Exelon Be Taken?

Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) and Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) are cholinesterase inhibitors used to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate dementia like that found in patients with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

Side effects of Aricept and Exelon that are similar include appetite

Common side effects of Aricept include:

• feeling unwell (malaise),
• appetite loss,
• weight loss,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• muscle cramps,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• shakiness (tremor),
• itchy skin,
• nausea,
• vomiting, or
• diarrhea.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Aricept including painful urination, seizures, chest pain, and GI symptoms of tarry or bloody stools and vomiting blood or material that resembles "coffee grounds."

Common side effects of Exelon include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• diarrhea,
• weakness,
• dizziness,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• joint pain,
• cough,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• increased sweating,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• headache, and
• shakiness (tremors).

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Exelon including:

• slow or irregular heartbeat,
• fainting,
• black stools,
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• seizures, or
• trouble urinating.

Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) is a cholinesterase inhibitor that reduces or prevents acetylcholine breakdown in brain tissue. Aricept is used to treat mild to moderate dementia like that found in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Aricept is not a cure; it reduces symptoms.

Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Aricept may interact with many drugs; tell the physician if you have a history of breathing problems, heart disease, fainting, seizures, GI diseases or urinary problems because they may get worst with this drug. Aricept is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Aricept safety and effectiveness has not been studied in the pediatric population.

Exelon may interact with atropine, belladonna, clidinium, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, mepenzolate, methantheline, methscopolamine, propantheline, or scopolamine. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) is available for oral administration in film-coated tablets in doses of 5, 10, or 23 mg of donepezil hydrochloride.

The dosage of Exelon to treat Alzheimer's Disease is 6-12 mg/day, given twice-a-day. The dose to treat Parkinson's Disease is 3-12 mg/day, given twice-a-day.