Aricept 23 mg/Aricept Evess Drug Interactions

Effect of ARICEPT on the Metabolism of Other Drugs: No in vivo clinical trials have investigated the effect of donepezil hydrochloride on the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g. cisapride, terfenadine) or by CYP2D6 (e.g. imipramine). However, in vitro studies show a low rate of binding to these enzymes (mean K_i about 50-130 μM), that, given the therapeutic plasma concentrations of donepezil hydrochloride (164 nM), indicates little likelihood of interference. Whether ARICEPT has any potential for enzyme induction is not known. Formal pharmacokinetic studies evaluated the potential of donepezil hydrochloride for interaction with theophylline, cimetidine, warfarin, digoxin and ketoconazole. No effects on the pharmacokinetics of these drugs were observed.
Effect of Other Drugs on the Metabolism of ARICEPT: Ketoconazole and quinidine, inhibitors of CYP450, 3A4 and 2D6, respectively, inhibit donepezil hydrochloride metabolism in vitro. Whether there is a clinical effect of quinidine is not known. In a 7-day crossover study in 18 healthy volunteers, ketoconazole (200 mg q.d.) increased mean donepezil hydrochloride (5 mg q.d.) concentrations (AUC0-24 and Cmax) by 36%. The clinical relevance of this increase in concentration is unknown.
A small effect of CYP2D6 inhibitors was identified in a population pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma donepezil hydrochloride concentrations measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil hydrochloride clearance was reduced by approximately 17% in patients taking 10 or 23 mg in combination with a known CYP2D6 inhibitor. This result is consistent with the conclusion that CYP2D6 is a minor metabolic pathway of donepezil hydrochloride.
Inducers of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, rifampin, and phenobarbital) could increase the rate of elimination of ARICEPT. Formal pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that the metabolism of donepezil hydrochloride is not significantly affected by concurrent administration of digoxin or cimetidine.
Use with Anticholinergics: Because of their mechanism of action, cholinesterase inhibitors have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications.
Use with Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors: A synergistic effect may be expected when cholinesterase inhibitors are given concurrently with succinylcholine, similar neuro-muscular blocking agents or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol.
Use with other medicinal products known to prolong QTc interval: Cases of QTc interval prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have been reported for donepezil. Caution is advised when donepezil is used in combination with other medicinal products known to prolong the QTc interval and clinical monitoring (ECG) may be required. Examples include: Class IA antiarrhythmics (e.g. quinidine); Class III antiarrhythmics (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol); Certain antidepressants (e.g. citalopram, escitalopram, amitriptyline); Other antipsychotics (e.g. phenothiazine derivatives, sertindole, pimozide, ziprasidone); Certain antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin).