Donepezil 23 mg: a brief insight on efficacy and safety concerns

Abstract

As life expectancy increases, it is imperative that health care providers recognize the importance of safe medication use within an aging geriatric population. Dealing with a cohort that has different biological and medical demands requires pharmacists to pay particular attention to details when treating this subset of individuals. In particular, this manuscript will focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and considerations when dealing with new treatment options. The Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of the increased dosage strength, donepezil 23 mg, previously only available in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths, has raised efficacy and safety concerns. Reservations stem from unproven superiority along with an increased incidence of adverse events. The purpose of the manuscript is to provide a brief insight into these concerns and provide readers the knowledge necessary to make a clinically sound decision when treating patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Keywords: AChEI = Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; AD = Alzheimer's disease; AE = Adverse event; Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; Alzheimer's disease; CIBIC-Plus = Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change-Plus version; Cognition; Dementia; Donepezil; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; Geriatric; Memantine; SIB = Severe Impairment Battery.