Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Donepezil as follows:
- Lowered heart rate and blood pressure with donepezil use can result in worsening signs and symptoms of hypotension and bradycardia, especially in individuals with history of the same. Patients can increasingly present with findings such as, frequent episodes of fatigue, lightheadedness, near fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, and ineffective heartbeat. Donepezil also carries the risk of aggravating some underlying cardiac arrhythmias leading to severe debility and death. Donepezil must be administered with extreme caution in individuals with history of severe hypotension, bradycardia, and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
- Narrowing of airways with donepezil use can increase the effort of breathing, especially in individuals with history of asthma and COPD. These individuals can increasingly present with exacerbation of shortness of breath with donepezil. Donepezil must be administered with extreme caution in individuals with history of breathing disorders, with close watch to prevent exacerbation of acute dyspneic episodes.
- Patients with history of mood disorders, secondary to donepezil intake, can experience deterioration and worsening of symptoms of mood disorders. Individuals can present with worsening complaints such as, feeling low and depressed, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Donepezil must be administered with extreme caution in individuals with history of mood disorders.
