Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Aricept as follows:
- Aricept can interact with many antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, resulting in nervousness, confusion, mood changes, and development or aggravation of underlying cardiac arrhythmias, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death. Avoid using Aricept together with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications.
- Aricept use, can result in severe gastrointestinal upset, increased acid secretion in stomach, worsening of heartburn and burning sensation in the stomach, and can result in the formation of gastric ulcers. Individuals with history of gastric ulcers can be at increased risk to present with these side-effects, thus resulting in exacerbation of the condition. Aricept must be administered with extreme caution in individuals with history of peptic ulcers, with close watch to prevent exacerbation of unpleasant GI symptoms.
