Donepezil Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Read on for donepezil dosage information for Alzheimer's, including typical dosages, adjustments, and the best time to take it.
Adlarity
Used for Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia
Used for Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia
Adlarity (donepezil) is a patch that's placed on the skin. It's used for dementia in people living with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Adlarity (donepezil) can be used for all stages of AD, ranging from mild to severe. It works as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to relieve symptoms of dementia. The patch is applied once a week, and only one patch should be worn at a time. Common side effects include headache, itching where the patch is, and trouble sleeping. There's currently no generic version of the patch available.
What is Adlarity (donepezil)?
What is Adlarity (donepezil) used for?
- Dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease
How Adlarity (donepezil) works
Adlarity (donepezil) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It works by blocking a protein called cholinesterase from working. This helps a chemical called acetylcholine (ACh) stick around in the brain for a longer time.
This is helpful for people living with AD because they tend to have less acetylcholine in their brain. ACh is important for sending signals in the brain for learning and memory.
By raising the acetylcholine levels in the brain, Adlarity (donepezil) is thought to help relieve some symptoms of dementia.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Adlarity |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Adlarity (donepezil) essentials
Side effects of Adlarity (donepezil)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (15%)
- Itching at the application site (9%)
- Muscle spasms (9%)
- Trouble sleeping (7%)
- Rash or skin irritation at the application site (6%)
- Stomach pain (6%)
- Constipation (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Strange dreams
- Pain at the application site
- Cuts on your skin
Adlarity (donepezil) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction on the skin: a rash that spreads, swelling, skin peeling, blisters
- Seizure
More on Adlarity (donepezil) side effects
The following Adlarity (donepezil) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Peptic ulcer—burning stomach pain, loss of appetite, bloating, burping, heartburn, nausea, vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow heartbeat—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Irritation at application site
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Vomiting
Get your GoodRx coupon
$546.89
GoodRx discount
$438.25
Pros and cons of Adlarity (donepezil)
Pros
- Only applied once a week
- Applied to the skin, so a good choice for people who don't like taking pills
- Can choose from a few different spots to apply the patch (the back, upper buttock, or upper outer thigh)
- A first-choice option for helping with thinking and memory problems related to Alzheimer's
Cons
- Can cause irritation where it's applied
- Need to avoid heat exposure, like saunas and a lot of sunlight
- Must store patches in the refrigerator
- Not a cure for Alzheimer's
Pharmacist tips for Adlarity (donepezil)
- Review the instructions for use for Adlarity (donepezil). Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have questions about how to use or apply the patch.
- Store Adlarity (donepezil) in the refrigerator (but don't let it freeze). Keep each patch in its sealed pouch to make sure the medication stays effective.
- Before applying Adlarity (donepezil), take 1 pouch out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature. Don't use a heater or microwave to warm it up. Don't use the patch if it's been out at room temperature for more than 24 hours since it might not work as well.
- When to apply Adlarity (donepezil): Apply 1 patch once a week and leave it on for 7 days. Choose a day of the week that's convenient or easier to remember. Set a reminder on your calendar to replace the patch. Take off the old patch and put on a new one every 7 days.
- Where to apply Adlarity (donepezil): Put the patch onto clean, dry, and hairless skin. Choose an area on your upper or lower back (not the spine), upper buttocks, or upper outer thighs. Don't put the patch onto skin with lotion or cream on it, bruises, redness, or where tight clothes might rub it off. Use a different spot each time and wait at least 2 weeks before using the same area again to avoid skin irritation.
- Don't put 2 Adlarity (donepezil) patches on your skin at any time. Too much medication can get absorbed in your body, which can raise your risk of side effects.
- You don't need to take off Adlarity (donepezil) for showers, baths, or hot weather. But try to avoid exposing the patch to heat for a long period of time. This includes time in the sauna, direct sunlight, and below heating pads. It might affect how much medication your skin absorbs and could lead to side effects.
- What to do if you forget to apply Adlarity (donepezil) or if the patch falls off: Apply a new patch as soon as possible. Keep this new patch on for the next 7 days before replacing it. Don't apply 2 patches to make up for a missed dose. If you have questions about missed doses, call your prescriber.
- How to throw away used Adlarity (donepezil): Slowly peel off the patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together, and throw it away in the regular trash. Don't reuse worn patches. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards to clean off any medication from the patch.
- Tell your care teams about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take. Adlarity (donepezil) can affect how some medications work or how safe your medications are for you. This can include some beta blockers, medications for COPD or overactive bladder, and anesthesia medications.
- If you're switching from donepezil tablets (Aricept) to Adlarity (donepezil) patches, follow your prescriber's instructions. Usually, you can put on your first patch on the same day you take your last tablet.
More on Adlarity (donepezil) tips
Risks and warnings for Adlarity (donepezil)
Adlarity (donepezil) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Skin reactions at the application site
You might have reactions where you place Adlarity (donepezil) on the skin. This can include redness, swelling, or irritation. Usually, these reactions are mild. But in rare cases, some people can have a serious allergic reaction on their skin.
Stop using Adlarity (donepezil) and let your prescriber know right away if you have a rash that spreads, swelling, skin peeling, or blisters. Also tell your prescriber if any skin reactions don't get better within 48 hours after taking the patch off.
Slow heart rate and fainting
Adlarity (donepezil) can sometimes make your heart beat slower or cause heart block. This can happen even if you've never had heart problems before. Let your prescriber know if you feel dizzy, have trouble breathing, feel your heart racing, or faint while taking Adlarity (donepezil).
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Risk factors: First starting Adlarity (donepezil) | Taking a higher dose of Adlarity (donepezil)
You might have diarrhea, feel nauseous, or vomit with donepezil. This includes with Adlarity (donepezil), the patch version of the medication. These side effects are more likely to happen when you first start this medication or when your dose goes up. But they usually last 1 to 3 weeks and then go away on their own.
If you have diarrhea or vomit while taking Adlarity (donepezil), make sure to drink plenty of fluids so you don't get dehydrated. Tell your prescriber if the nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea gets severe or if it bothers you a lot. They can help you manage these side effects.
Possible stomach bleeding and ulcers
- Risk factors: History of stomach ulcers or stomach bleeds | Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Medications like Adlarity (donepezil) can cause your body to make more stomach acid. This might put you at risk for stomach ulcers and bleeding. But studies with donepezil tablets didn't show a higher risk of this problem.
Be careful taking Adlarity (donepezil) if you've had stomach ulcers or or stomach bleeding before. Also be aware of this risk if you take other medications that can irritate your stomach, like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
Tell your prescriber if you have signs of a stomach ulcer. This can include a dull or burning pain in the upper stomach that comes and goes, a burning feeling in the chest, or bloating. Get medical help right away if you vomit coffee grounds or have dark, tarry stools. These could be signs of stomach bleeding.
Possible seizures
Medications like Adlarity (donepezil) might raise the risk of having a seizure. But the evidence is mixed. A seizure could happen because the medication helps acetylcholine stay in the brain longer. Too much acetylcholine can affect brain activity. Keep in mind that seizures can also be caused by Alzheimer’s disease itself.
Tell your loved ones or caregivers about this risk so that they can watch for signs of a seizure and know how to help you. Let your prescriber know if you have a seizure. Also let them know if you feel dazed, limp, or stiff because these could be signs of a seizure.
Caution use in people with lung problems
- Risk factor: History of asthma | History of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
Medications like Adlarity (donepezil) might worsen lung problems. This is because having too much acetylcholine in the body can cause less air to travel to and from your lungs. It might also make more mucus build up in the airways.
Tell your prescriber if you have asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), or other lung problems. Let them know if your lung problems get worse after you start taking Adlarity (donepezil). Also tell them if you have any new problems like trouble breathing, wheezing, or coughing.
Adlarity (donepezil) dosage
The average cost for 4 kits of 5mg/day of Adlarity (donepezil) is $438.25 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 19.87% off the average retail price of $546.89. 
Kit
Kit| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg/day | 4 kits | $438.25 | $109.56 |
| 10mg/day | 4 kits | $438.25 | $109.56 |
Typical dosage for Adlarity (donepezil)
The typical dose is to apply 1 patch onto the skin once weekly.
You'll first start with the 5 mg/day strength. After 4 to 6 weeks, your prescriber might raise your dose to the 10 mg/day strength. This depends on how you respond to the medication.
More on Adlarity (donepezil) dosage
How much does Adlarity (donepezil) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Adlarity (brand)
$438.25
Adlarity (donepezil) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Adlarity (donepezil) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergic reaction to donepezil (Aricept) or to piperidine-based medications, such as droperidol (Inapsine)
- Allergic skin reaction from Adlarity (donepezil)
What are alternatives to Adlarity (donepezil)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Adlarity (donepezil). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Adlarity (donepezil)
Donepezil’s Mechanism of Action: How This Medication for Alzheimer’s Disease Works
Learn exactly how donepezil works as our experts explain everything to know about its mechanism of action.
12 Donepezil Side Effects You Should Know About
Read on to learn the side effects of donepezil (Aricept, Adlarity), including common, rare, and long-term effects, as well as how to manage them.
7 Donepezil Interactions You Should Know About
If you take donepezil (Adlarity, Aricept), it’s recommended to be careful with anticholinergic medications and beta blockers. See more donepezil interactions with GoodRx.
Aricept vs. Adlarity for Alzheimer’s-Related Dementia
Aricept and Adlarity are two versions of the same Alzheimer’s medication (donepezil) — one is a patch and the other is a tablet. Compare side effects and costs here.
