A to Z of MS Donepezil (Aricept)

Product names

Aricept

Donepezil is a drug used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It has been studied to see if this effect is also apparent in people with cognitive symptoms due to multiple sclerosis.

A small study followed 69 people with MS taking either donepezil or a placebo for 24 weeks. It found that twice as many people in the treatment group report memory improvement (65.7%) than those on placebo (32.4%). Health professionals also reported that more people in the treatment group showed improved cognitive symptoms. However, a larger study involving 120 people with MS showed no difference in improving memory between donepezil and placebo.

How donepezil works

Donepezil increase levels of acetylcholine, a chemical in the central nervous system that acts as a neurotransmitter - carrying messages from nerve to nerve.

How is donepezil given?

Donepezil is taken orally as tablets.

Side effects and contraindications

Donepezil is generally well tolerated with no serious side effects observed during the studies other than reports of unusual dreams.

References

Christodoulou C, et al.
Effects of donepezil on memory and cognition in multiple sclerosis.
Journal of Neurological Sciences 2006;245(1-2):127-136.
abstract

Krupp LB, et al.
Multicenter randomized clinical trial of donepezil for memory impairment in multiple sclerosis.
Neurology 2011;76(17):1500-1507.
abstract

Patient Information Leaflet

Aricept (EMC website)

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