Related Experiment Videos
[Symptomatic sinus bradycardia associated with donepezil].
J M Calvo-Romero1, J L Ramos-Salado
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Regional Universitario Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, España.
Revista De Neurologia
|July 3, 1999
Summary
Symptomatic sinus bradycardia is a rare but possible adverse effect of donepezil, a medication for Alzheimer's disease. Discontinuation of donepezil resolved the bradycardia in a reported case.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Donepezil is increasingly prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
- Side effects are typically manageable and cholinergic-dependent.
- Cardiac rhythm disturbances are exceptionally rare with donepezil use.
Observation:
- An 81-year-old patient with hypertensive heart disease developed bradycardia, syncope, and heart failure.
- These symptoms emerged three weeks after initiating donepezil treatment.
- Upon cessation of donepezil, the bradycardia resolved, and no further episodes occurred.
Findings:
- The patient experienced symptomatic sinus bradycardia.
- Diagnostic evaluations, including a 24-hour Holter monitor, ruled out underlying sinus node disease.
- Cessation of donepezil led to the complete resolution of cardiac symptoms.
Implications:
- Symptomatic sinus bradycardia should be considered a potential adverse effect of donepezil.
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring cardiac function in patients on donepezil.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying donepezil-induced bradycardia.