Hello I was wondering if anyones LO have experienced any side affects and what? My mom who takes sinemet (parkinsons') and oxybutin(for her bladder control) along with her other sleep and anxiety meds.. Her Neurologist took her off the oxybutin(which her primary Dr. Rx her 4wks earlier) and put her on Aricept about a week or so ago. 4days later she started complaining about feeling sick; body aches, shakes, soreness in her neck, ears, and throat area and her legs.(she says they wont work for her) her eyes were sensitive to light as well. I called her nuerologist and she's on vacation for a week. then I called her primary and they feel she may be experiencing some side affects from Aricept and it should pass. Maybe so. But I was just wondering what others on this forum may think.

Gayle

Many that start on Aricept do have some stomach issues but it does pass after a few weeks and many try cutting to dose until the person is able to handle the drug, you can go to RX.com and check further.
Good Luck!

Gayle,

Have you checked out a website such as rxlist.com or drugs.com for the side effects of Aricept (donepezil)? All of the complaints sound pretty non-specific to me.

Sensitivity to light can occur in many neurodegenerative disorders.

Also, oxybutnin is anticholinergic and therefore not recommended for someone with dementia. Nearly all of the anti-bladder incontinence meds fall into this category.

Robin

Robin, no I haven't checked those websites out but will do so.. and yes I know now about not prescribing an anticholinergic drug. but if only her primary Dr. knew? Once my moms nuerologist found out she was on it she discontinued it. and like I said prescribed her Aricept and explained to her that she will just have to deal with the need to use the bathroom frequently. I was aware of the light sensitivity in someone with a neurodegenerative disorder, but my mom has never said or complained about this before thats why I included it with the other symptoms she exhibiting since the adding of Aricept.

Thanks for your response and the names of the websites.

Gayle

Thanks for the correction on the site I pointed out, so Gayle it is rXlist.com, I knew that just didn't take the time to look more carefully!

Gayle,
In my experience, lots of symptoms are blamed on medication as "side effects" that are actually part of a disease. It's a coincidence as to the timing of the symptoms.
Robin

Robin, this often does happen. And with such an up-and-down disease as LBD, it's especially hard to determine. While Sinemet, for instance, can cause hallucinations, most of our LOs had hallucinations well before taking Sinemet. How can we tell if it's making them worse? And because most of the dementia meds are slightly antagonistic to the carbidopa/levodopa drugs, the effects are even harder to sort out.

What I often wonder is this: How do we know a certain drug is being effective? If we see decline, how can we be certain the drugs they have been taking for years are preventing worse decline or are not accomplishing anything at all?

Gayle, Frank has been on Aricept for several months and never had any side effects.

Gayle, In our caregiver support group it was reported that one woman had 'violent' vomiting when given Aricept. My husband became extremely agitated when it was given to him. Sher

My dad was on Aricept for about 7 - 8 months and didn't have any side effects that I am aware of. He was more agitated because he was more aware of how ill he is, but none of the side effects you are mentioning happened. It's difficult to balance all these meds. Good luck. Lynn

Thank you all for your responses. Today my mom says she feels little better, but I will continue to monitor her.

Thanks again