ARICEPT (donepezil hydrochloride)
The following drug information is obtained from various newswires, published
medical journal articles, and medical conference presentations.
General Information
Aricept has been approved for the symptomatic treatment of mild
to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Aricept is effective in
improving cognition and patient function in people with mild to
moderate Alzheimer's Disease.
Clinical Results
Controlled clinical trials in over 900 subjects demonstrated
that more than 80% of subjects taking Aricept either improved or
exhibited no further demonstration in tests of cognition over the
course of the studies. In an assessment of patient function, which
includes general function, cognition, behavior and activities of
daily living, clinicians rated approximately two times as many
subjects on Aricept as improved in comparison to placebo after 24
weeks of treatment.
Mechanism of Action
Aricept is a new reversible inhibitor of the enzyme
acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme, which
breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Aricept may allow a
greater concentration of acetylcholine in the brain, thereby
improving cholinergic function. Acetylcholine, associated with
memory and learning, is in short supply in subjects with
Alzheimer's disease.
