Donepezil Hydrochloride

openFDA label record#

This page contains supplementary openFDA label data. For the canonical label presentation, use the corresponding DailyMed Structured Product Label.

Verified complete openFDA source JSON (canonical bytes are SHA-256 checked before publication)

Brand name
Donepezil Hydrochloride
Generic name
DONEPEZIL HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer
Golden State Medical Supply, Inc.
Product type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
SPL set ID
a085ed33-c262-44ab-e053-2a95a90a5557
SPL ID
52d3dbf8-e304-03b0-e063-6394a90afe4b
Version
7
Effective date
2026-05-27
Source export date
2026-10-12
Source partition
6
Source file
https://download.open.fda.gov/drug/label/drug-label-0006-of-0014.json.zip
Source object key
raw/openfda/drug-label/2026-10-12/b25dad4aaef9c88f0e827394a34fbbd1ce7d71422fa46b5d1e123befad498c1d/drug-label-0006-of-0014.json.zip
Source manifest SHA-256
7e6b178df8f32cac9a78e0f5d09c588344509b04fe41effb1dde9102e2a45be6
Import run
20261013T011858Z
Imported at
2026-10-13 01:46:09
Harmonized routes table
Harmonized routes
ORAL

Warnings cross-check#

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Warnings sections page 1 of 3 · 9 matching rows.

warnings and cautions

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Cholinesterase inhibitors are likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia ( 5.1 ) Cholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes manifesting as bradycardia or heart block ( 5.2 ) Donepezil hydrochloride tablets can cause vomiting. Patients should be observed closely at initiation of treatment and after dose increases ( 5.3 ) Patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of active or occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, especially those at increased risk for developing ulcers ( 5.4 ) The use of donepezil hydrochloride tablets in a dose of 23 mg once daily is associated with weight loss ( 5.5 ) Cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstructions ( 5.6 ) Cholinomimetics are believed to have some potential to cause generalized convulsions ( 5.7 ) Cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed with care to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Anesthesia Donepezil hydrochloride tablets, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, are likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia. 5.2 Cardiovascular Conditions Because of their pharmacological action, cholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. This effect may manifest as bradycardia or heart block in patients both with and without known underlying cardiac conduction abnormalities. Syncopal episodes have been reported in association with the use of donepezil hydrochloride tablets. 5.3 Nausea and Vomiting Donepezil hydrochloride tablets, as a predictable consequence of its pharmacological properties, have been shown to produce diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These effects, when they occur, appear more frequently with the 10 mg/day dose than with the 5 mg/day dose, and more frequently with the 23 mg dose than with the 10 mg dose. Specifically, in a controlled trial that compared a dose of 23 mg/day to 10 mg/day in patients who had been treated with donepezil 10 mg/day for at least three months, the incidence of nausea in the 23 mg group was markedly greater than in the patients who continued on 10 mg/day (11.8% vs. 3.4%, respectively), and the incidence of vomiting in the 23 mg group was markedly greater than in the 10 mg group (9.2% vs. 2.5%, respectively). The percent of patients who discontinued treatment due to vomiting in the 23 mg group was markedly higher than in the 10 mg group (2.9% vs. 0.4%, respectively). Although in most cases, these effects have been transient, sometimes lasting one to three weeks, and have resolved during continued use of donepezil hydrochloride tablets, patients should be observed closely at the initiation of treatment and after dose increases. 5.4 Peptic Ulcer Disease and GI Bleeding Through their primary action, cholinesterase inhibitors may be expected to increase gastric acid secretion due to increased cholinergic activity. Therefore, patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding, especially those at increased risk for developing ulcers, e.g., those with a history of ulcer disease or those receiving concurrent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Clinical studies of donepezil hydrochloride tablets in a dose of 5 mg/day to 10 mg/day have shown no increase, relative to placebo, in the incidence of either peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Results of a controlled clinical study with 23 mg/day showed an increase, relative to 10 mg/day, in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease (0.4% vs. 0.2%) and gastrointestinal bleeding from any site (1.1% vs. 0.6%). 5.5 Weight Loss Weight loss was reported as an adverse reaction in 4.7% of patients assigned to donepezil hydrochloride tablets in a dose of 23 mg/day compared to 2.5% of patients assigned to 10 mg/day. Compared to their baseline weights, 8.4% of patients taking 23 mg/day were found to have a weight decrease of ≥ 7% by the end of the study, while 4.9% of patients taking 10 mg/day were found to have weight loss of ≥ 7% at the end of the study. 5.6 Genitourinary Conditions Although not observed in clinical trials of donepezil hydrochloride tablets, cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstruction. 5.7 Neurological Conditions: Seizures Cholinomimetics are believed to have some potential to cause generalized convulsions. However, seizure activity also may be a manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease. 5.8 Pulmonary Conditions Because of their cholinomimetic actions, cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed with care to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.

warnings and cautions

5.1 Anesthesia Donepezil hydrochloride tablets, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, are likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia.

warnings and cautions

5.2 Cardiovascular Conditions Because of their pharmacological action, cholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. This effect may manifest as bradycardia or heart block in patients both with and without known underlying cardiac conduction abnormalities. Syncopal episodes have been reported in association with the use of donepezil hydrochloride tablets.

warnings and cautions

5.3 Nausea and Vomiting Donepezil hydrochloride tablets, as a predictable consequence of its pharmacological properties, have been shown to produce diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These effects, when they occur, appear more frequently with the 10 mg/day dose than with the 5 mg/day dose, and more frequently with the 23 mg dose than with the 10 mg dose. Specifically, in a controlled trial that compared a dose of 23 mg/day to 10 mg/day in patients who had been treated with donepezil 10 mg/day for at least three months, the incidence of nausea in the 23 mg group was markedly greater than in the patients who continued on 10 mg/day (11.8% vs. 3.4%, respectively), and the incidence of vomiting in the 23 mg group was markedly greater than in the 10 mg group (9.2% vs. 2.5%, respectively). The percent of patients who discontinued treatment due to vomiting in the 23 mg group was markedly higher than in the 10 mg group (2.9% vs. 0.4%, respectively). Although in most cases, these effects have been transient, sometimes lasting one to three weeks, and have resolved during continued use of donepezil hydrochloride tablets, patients should be observed closely at the initiation of treatment and after dose increases.

Adverse reactions cross-check#

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Adverse reactions sections page 2 of 4 · 15 matching rows.

adverse reactions table

<table width="100%"><caption>Table 2. Comparison of Rates of Adverse Reactions in Mild to Moderate Patients Titrated to 10 mg/day over 1 and 6 Weeks</caption><tbody><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"/><td colspan="2" styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">No titration</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">One week titration</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Six week titration</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Adverse Reaction</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">Placebo (n=315) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">5 mg/day (n=311) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">10 mg/day (n=315) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">10 mg/day (n=269) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Nausea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td><td styleCode="Toprule">19</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td><td styleCode="Toprule">15</td><td styleCode="Toprule">9</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Insomnia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">14</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Fatigue</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Muscle cramps</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Anorexia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">7</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr></tbody></table>

adverse reactions table

<table width="100%"><caption>Table 3. Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer&#x2019;s Disease</caption><tbody><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Adverse Reaction</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">Placebo (n=355) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets (n=747) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Percent of Patients with any Adverse Reaction</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">72</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">74</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Nausea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">11</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td><td styleCode="Toprule">10</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Headache</td><td styleCode="Toprule">9</td><td styleCode="Toprule">10</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Insomnia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">9</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Pain, various locations</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td><td styleCode="Toprule">9</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Dizziness</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Accident</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td><td styleCode="Toprule">7</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Muscle Cramps</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Fatigue</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Anorexia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Ecchymosis</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Abnormal Dreams</td><td styleCode="Toprule">0</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Depression</td><td styleCode="Toprule">&lt;1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Weight Loss</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Arthritis</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Frequent Urination</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Somnolence</td><td styleCode="Toprule">&lt;1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Syncope</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr></tbody></table>

adverse reactions table

<table width="100%"><caption>Table 4. Adverse Reactions in Pooled Controlled Clinical Trials in Severe Alzheimer&#x2019;s Disease</caption><tbody><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Body System/Adverse Reaction</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">Placebo (n=392) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets (n=501) </content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Percent of Patients with any Adverse Reaction</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">73</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">81</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Accident</td><td styleCode="Toprule">12</td><td styleCode="Toprule">13</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Infection</td><td styleCode="Toprule">9</td><td styleCode="Toprule">11</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td><td styleCode="Toprule">10</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Anorexia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td><td styleCode="Toprule">8</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Nausea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">6</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Insomnia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Ecchymosis</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">5</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Headache</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">4</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Hypertension</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Pain</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Back Pain</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Eczema</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Hallucinations</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Hostility</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Increase in Creatine Phosphokinase</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Nervousness</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Fever</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Chest Pain</td><td styleCode="Toprule">&lt;1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Confusion</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Dehydration</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Depression</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Dizziness</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Emotional Lability</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Hemorrhage</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Hyperlipemia</td><td styleCode="Toprule">&lt;1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Personality Disorder</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Somnolence</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Syncope</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Urinary Incontinence</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td></tr></tbody></table>

adverse reactions table

<table width="100%"><caption>Table 5. Most Common Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in Patients with Moderate to Severe Alzheimer&#x2019;s Disease</caption><tbody><tr><td styleCode="Toprule"><content styleCode="bold">Adverse Reaction</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">23 mg/day Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets </content></paragraph><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">(n=963)</content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td><td styleCode="Toprule"><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">10 mg/day Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets </content></paragraph><paragraph><content styleCode="bold">(n=471)</content></paragraph><content styleCode="bold">%</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Toprule">3</td><td styleCode="Toprule">0</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">0</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Nausea</td><td styleCode="Toprule">2</td><td styleCode="Toprule">0</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Toprule">Dizziness</td><td styleCode="Toprule">1</td><td styleCode="Toprule">0</td></tr></tbody></table>

Reported adverse events (FAERS/openFDA)#

Adverse event summaries are temporarily unavailable. Other product information remains available.