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Donepezil for Alzheimer's disease
Boben Benjamin1, Alistair Burns
1Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Second Floor, Education and Resource Centre, Wythenshawe Hopsital, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK. bobenb@doctors.org.uk
Abstract:
Donepezil is the most widely prescribed of the cholinesterase inhibitors that has been licensed for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Evidence from a number of clinical trials suggests that it improves cognitive performance and stabilizes the functional abilities in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil increases the amount of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, the deficit of which is thought to play a major role in the clinical presentation of Alzheimer's disease. Studies show good safety and long-term tolerability. In addition, donepezil's pharmacokinetic properties make it convenient to prescribe. There are a number of newer drug therapies in various stages of pharmacological development, but donepezil should continue to play a major role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease for the next few years.
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