Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Donepezil as follows:
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Donepezil intake carries the risk of lowering the threshold for seizures, thereby, resulting in seizure activity, especially in individuals with history of the same. Donepezil must be cautiously administered in individuals with seizure history, along with appropriate anti-seizure therapy in place.
- Donepezil intake can also induce a life-threatening reaction called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Individuals taking donepezil can present with high fever, episodes of confusion, muscle rigidity, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Severe cases can present with muscle breakdown, elevated potassium levels in the blood due to muscle destruction, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias due to the elevated blood potassium, and seizures.
Genitourinary side-effects
- Potentiation of acetylcholine action in the body, secondary to donepezil use, can result in increased frequency of urination/polyuria and increased fluid loss. This can be a severe issue, as individuals can be at increased risk for dehydration. If the urination frequency is severe and uncontrolled, report it to your physician or other health care personnel, so that, your dose of donepezil could be revised or alternative plan of treatment be considered.
