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donepezil hydrochloride (donepezil hydrochloride 10 mg) Dailymed

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  3. Mylan Institutional Inc.

Generic: donepezil hydrochloride

donepezil hydrochloride tablet, orally disintegrating - (donepezil hydrochloride 10 mg) image

IMPRINT: 10 ARICEPT     SHAPE: round
    COLOR: yellow

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1 Indications And Usage


Donepezil HCl is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.


Donepezil HCl is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease (1.0).

2 Dosage And Administration


Donepezil HCl should be taken in the evening, just prior to retiring.

Donepezil HCl can be taken with or without food.

Allow Donepezil HCl ODT to dissolve on the tongue and follow with water.

  • Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease - 5 mg or 10 mg administered once daily (2.1)
  • Severe Alzheimer's Disease - 10 mg (2.2)

A dose of 10 mg once daily can be administered once patients have been on a daily dose of 5 mg for 4 to 6 weeks (2.3).

2.1. Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease


The dosages of donepezil HCl shown to be effective in controlled clinical trials are 5 mg and 10 mg administered once per day.

The higher dose of 10 mg did not provide a statistically significantly greater clinical benefit than 5 mg. There is a suggestion, however, based upon order of group mean scores and dose trend analyses of data from these clinical trials, that a daily dose of 10 mg of donepezil HCl might provide additional benefit for some patients. Accordingly, whether or not to employ a dose of 10 mg is a matter of prescriber and patient preference.

2.2. Severe Alzheimer's Disease


Donepezil HCl has been shown to be effective in controlled clinical trials at doses of 10 mg.

2.3. Titration


The recommended starting dose of donepezil HCl is 5 mg once daily. Evidence from the controlled trials in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease indicates that the 10 mg dose, with a one week titration, is likely to be associated with a higher incidence of cholinergic adverse events compared to the 5 mg dose. In open-label trials using a 6 week titration, the type and frequency of these same adverse events were similar between the 5 mg and 10 mg dose groups. Therefore, because donepezil steady state is achieved about 15 days after it is started and because the incidence of untoward effects may be influenced by the rate of dose escalation, a dose of 10 mg should not be administered until patients have been on a daily dose of 5 mg for 4 to 6 weeks.

3 Dosage Forms And Strengths


Donepezil HCl is supplied as film-coated, round tablets containing either 5 mg or 10 mg of donepezil HCl.

The 5 mg tablets are white. The strength, in mg (5), is debossed on one side and a stylized G is debossed on the other side.

The 10 mg tablets are yellow. The strength, in mg (10), is debossed on one side and a stylized G is debossed on the other side.

Donepezil HCl ODT is supplied as round tablets containing either 5 mg or 10 mg of donepezil hydrochloride.

The 5 mg orally disintegrating tablets are white. The strength, in mg (5), is debossed on one side and ARICEPT is debossed on the other side.

The 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets are yellow. The strength, in mg (10), is debossed on one side and ARICEPT is debossed on the other side.

  • Tablets: 5 mg and 10 mg (3)
  • Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT): 5 mg and 10 mg (3)

4 Contraindications


Donepezil HCl is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil HCl or to piperidine derivatives.

  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil HCl or to piperidine derivatives (4)

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).
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors 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).
  • Cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstructions (5.5).
  • Cholinomimetics are believed to have some potential to cause generalized convulsions (5.6).
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed with care to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease (5.7).

5.1. Anesthesia


Donepezil, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, is 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 HCl.

5.3. Nausea and Vomiting


Donepezil, as a predictable consequence of its pharmacological properties, has been shown to produce nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These effects, when they occur, appear more frequently with the 10 mg/day dose than with the 5 mg/day dose. Although in most cases, these effects have been mild and transient, sometimes lasting one to three weeks, and have resolved during continued use of donepezil HCl, 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 GI 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 HCl 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 GI bleeding.

5.5 Genitourinary Conditions


Although not observed in clinical trials of donepezil HCl, cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstruction.

5.6 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.

5.7 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.

6 Adverse Reactions



The most common adverse reactions in clinical studies of donepezil HCl are nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and anorexia (6.1).

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088, or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1. Clinical Studies Experience


Donepezil HCl 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day


Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease


Severe Alzheimer's Disease

6.2 Postmarketing Experience


Voluntary reports of adverse events temporally associated with donepezil HCl that have been received since market introduction that are not uled above, and for which there are inadequate data to determine the causal relationship with the drug include the following: abdominal pain, agitation, cholecystitis, confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, heart block (all types), hemolytic anemia, hepatitis, hyponatremia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, pancreatitis, and rash.

7 Drug Interactions


  • Cholinesterase inhibitors have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications (7.3).
  • A synergistic effect may be expected with concomitant administration of succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists (7.4).

7.1. Effect of Donepezil HCl on the Metabolism of Other Drugs


No in vivo clinical trials have investigated the effect of donepezil HCl on the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP 3A4 (e.g. cisapride, terfenadine) or by CYP 2D6 (e.g. imipramine). However, in vitro studies show a low rate of binding to these enzymes (mean Ki about 50–130 µM), that, given the therapeutic plasma concentrations of donepezil (164 nM), indicates little likelihood of interference.

Whether donepezil has any potential for enzyme induction is not known. Formal pharmacokinetic studies evaluated the potential of donepezil for interaction with theophylline, cimetidine, warfarin, digoxin and ketoconazole. No effects of donepezil HCl on the pharmacokinetics of these drugs were observed.

7.2. Effect of Other Drugs on the Metabolism of Donepezil HCl


Ketoconazole and quinidine, inhibitors of CYP450, 3A4 and 2D6, respectively, inhibit donepezil 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 (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 concentrations measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil clearance was reduced by approximately 17% in patients taking 10 mg in combination with a known CYP2D6 inhibitor. This result is consistent with the conclusion that CYP2D6 is a minor metabolic pathway of donepezil.

Inducers of CYP 2D6 and CYP 3A4 (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, rifampin, and phenobarbital) could increase the rate of elimination of donepezil.

Formal pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that the metabolism of donepezil is not significantly affected by concurrent administration of digoxin or cimetidine.

7.3. Use with Anticholinergics


Because of their mechanism of action, cholinesterase inhibitors have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications.

7.4. Use with Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors


A synergistic effect may be expected when cholinesterase inhibitors are given concurrently with succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol.

8 Use In Specific Populations


  • Based on animal data donepezil HCl may cause fetal harm (8.1).

8.1 Pregnancy


Pregnancy Category C: There are no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Donepezil HCl should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Oral administration of donepezil to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not produce any teratogenic effects at doses up to 16 mg/kg/day (approximately 13 times the human dose of 10 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis) and 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 16 times the human dose of 10 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis), respectively. Oral administration of donepezil (1, 3, 10 mg/kg/day) to rats during late gestation and throughout lactation to weaning produced an increase in stillbirths and reduced offspring survival through postpartum day 4 at the highest dose. The no-effect dose of 3 mg/kg/day is approximately equal to the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis.

8.3 Nursing Mothers


It is not known whether donepezil is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when donepezil HCl is administered to a nursing woman.

8.4 Pediatric Use


The safety and effectiveness of donepezil HCl in children have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use


Alzheimer's disease is a disorder occurring primarily in individuals over 55 years of age. The mean age of patients enrolled in the clinical studies with donepezil HCl was 73 years; 80% of these patients were between 65 and 84 years old, and 49% of patients were at or above the age of 75. The efficacy and safety data presented in the clinical trials section were obtained from these patients. There were no clinically significant differences in most adverse events reported by patient groups ≥ 65 years old and < 65 years old.

10 Overdosage


Because strategies for the management of overdose are continually evolving, it is advisable to contact a Poison Control Center to determine the latest recommendations for the management of an overdose of any drug.

As in any case of overdose, general supportive measures should be utilized. Overdosage with cholinesterase inhibitors can result in cholinergic crisis characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, salivation, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory depression, collapse and convulsions. Increasing muscle weakness is a possibility and may result in death if respiratory muscles are involved. Tertiary anticholinergics such as atropine may be used as an antidote for donepezil overdosage. Intravenous atropine sulfate titrated to effect is recommended: an initial dose of 1.0 to 2.0 mg IV with subsequent doses based upon clinical response. Atypical responses in blood pressure and heart rate have been reported with other cholinomimetics when co-administered with quaternary anticholinergics such as glycopyrrolate. It is not known whether donepezil and/or its metabolites can be removed by dialysis (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or hemofiltration).

Dose-related signs of toxicity in animals included reduced spontaneous movement, prone position, staggering gait, lacrimation, clonic convulsions, depressed respiration, salivation, miosis, tremors, fasciculation and lower body surface temperature.

11 Description


Donepezil is a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, known chemically as (±)-2, 3-dihydro-5, 6-dimethoxy-2-[[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]methyl]-1H-inden-1-one hydrochloride. Donepezil HCl is commonly referred to in the pharmacological literature as E2020. It has an empirical formula of C24H29NO3HCl and a molecular weight of 415.96. Donepezil HCl is a white crystalline powder and is freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in water and in glacial acetic acid, slightly soluble in ethanol and in acetonitrile and practically insoluble in ethyl acetate and in n-hexane.

Donepezil HCl is available for oral administration in film-coated tablets containing either 5 mg or 10 mg of donepezil HCl.

Inactive ingredients in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets are lactose monohydrate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains talc, polyethylene glycol, hypromellose and titanium dioxide. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains yellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.

Donepezil HCl ODT tablets are available for oral administration. Each donepezil HCl ODT tablet contains 5 or 10 mg of donepezil HCl. Inactive ingredients are carrageenan, mannitol, colloidal silicon dioxide and polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains ferric oxide (yellow) as a coloring agent.

12 Clinical Pharmacology


12.1 Mechanism of Action


Current theories on the pathogenesis of the cognitive signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease attribute some of them to a deficiency of cholinergic neurotransmission.

Donepezil is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase. There is no evidence that donepezil alters the course of the underlying dementing process.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics


Pharmacokinetics of donepezil are linear over a dose range of 1–10 mg given once daily. The rate and extent of absorption of donepezil HCl tablets are not influenced by food.

Donepezil HCl ODT 5 mg and 10 mg are bioequivalent to donepezil HCl 5 mg and 10 mg tablets, respectively. A food effect study has not been conducted with donepezil HCl ODT; however, the effect of food with donepezil HCl ODT is expected to be minimal. Donepezil HCl ODT can be taken without regard to meals.

The elimination half life of donepezil is about 70 hours, and the mean apparent plasma clearance (Cl/F) is 0.13 – 0.19 L/hr/kg. Following multiple dose administration, donepezil accumulates in plasma by 4–7 fold, and steady state is reached within 15 days. The steady state volume of distribution is 12 – 16 L/kg. Donepezil is approximately 96% bound to human plasma proteins, mainly to albumins (about 75%) and alpha1 - acid glycoprotein (about 21%) over the concentration range of 2–1000 ng/mL.

Donepezil is both excreted in the urine intact and extensively metabolized to four major metabolites, two of which are known to be active, and a number of minor metabolites, not all of which have been identified. Donepezil is metabolized by CYP 450 isoenzymes 2D6 and 3A4 and undergoes glucuronidation. Following administration of 14C-labeled donepezil, plasma radioactivity, expressed as a percent of the administered dose, was present primarily as intact donepezil (53%) and as 6-O-desmethyl donepezil (11%), which has been reported to inhibit AChE to the same extent as donepezil in vitro and was found in plasma at concentrations equal to about 20% of donepezil. Approximately 57% and 15% of the total radioactivity was recovered in urine and feces, respectively, over a period of 10 days, while 28% remained unrecovered, with about 17% of the donepezil dose recovered in the urine as unchanged drug. Examination of the effect of CYP2D6 genotype in Alzheimer's patients showed differences in clearance values among CYP2D6 genotype subgroups. When compared to the extensive metabolizers, poor metabolizers had a 31.5% slower clearance and ultra-rapid metabolizers had a 24% faster clearance. These results suggest CYP2D6 has a minor role in the metabolism of donepezil.


Hepatic Disease: In a study of 10 patients with stable alcoholic cirrhosis, the clearance of donepezil was decreased by 20% relative to 10 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects.


Renal Disease: In a study of 11 patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (ClC < 18 mL/min/1.73 m2) the clearance of donepezil did not differ from 11 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.


Age: No formal pharmacokinetic study was conducted to examine age-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of donepezil. Population pharmacokinetic analysis suggested that the clearance of donepezil in patients decreases with increasing age. When compared with 65-year old, subjects, 90-year old subjects have a 17% decrease in clearance, while 40-year old subjects have a 33% increase in clearance. The effect of age on donepezil clearance may not be clinically significant.


Gender and Race: No specific pharmacokinetic study was conducted to investigate the effects of gender and race on the disposition of donepezil HCl. However, retrospective pharmacokinetic analysis and population pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma donepezil concentrations measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease indicates that gender and race (Japanese and Caucasians) did not affect the clearance of donepezil to an important degree.


Body weight: There was a relationship noted between body weight and clearance. Over the range of body weight from 50 kg to 110 kg, clearance increased from 7.77 L/h to 14.04 L/h, with a value of 10 L/hr for 70 kg individuals.


Drugs Highly Bound to Plasma Proteins: Drug displacement studies have been performed in vitro between this highly bound drug (96%) and other drugs such as furosemide, digoxin, and warfarin. Donepezil at concentrations of 0.3–10 micrograms/mL did not affect the binding of furosemide (5 micrograms/mL), digoxin (2 ng/mL), and warfarin (3 micrograms/mL) to human albumin. Similarly, the binding of donepezil to human albumin was not affected by furosemide, digoxin and warfarin.

13 Nonclinical Toxicology


13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility


No evidence of a carcinogenic potential was obtained in an 88-week carcinogenicity study of donepezil conducted in mice at oral doses up to 180 mg/kg/day (approximately 90 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] on a mg/m2 basis), or in a 104-week carcinogenicity study in rats at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg/day (approximately 30 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis).

Donepezil was negative in a battery of genotoxicity assays (in vitro bacterial reverse mutation, in vitro mouse lymphoma tk, in vitro chromosomal aberration, and in vivo mouse micronucleus).

Donepezil had no effect on fertility in rats at oral doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 8 times MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) when administered to males and females prior to and during mating and continuing in females through implantation.

13.2 Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology


In a published study, female rats were given single doses of donepezil and memantine by intraperitoneal injection, each alone or in combination. When given in combination with memantine, donepezil increased the incidence and severity of memantine-induced neurodegeneration. The relevance of this finding to humans is unknown.

14 Clinical Studies


The effectiveness of donepezil HCl as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease is demonstrated by the results of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical investigations.

14.1 Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease


The effectiveness of donepezil HCl as a treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease is demonstrated by the results of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical investigations in patients with Alzheimer's disease (diagnosed by NINCDS and DSM III-R criteria, Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 10 and ≤ 26 and Clinical Dementia Rating of 1 or 2). The mean age of patients participating in donepezil HCl trials was 73 years with a range of 50 to 94. Approximately 62% of patients were women and 38% were men. The racial distribution was white 95%, black 3% and other races 2%.

Study Outcome Measures: In each study, the effectiveness of treatment with donepezil HCl was evaluated using a dual outcome assessment strategy.

The ability of donepezil HCl to improve cognitive performance was assessed with the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog), a multi-li instrument that has been extensively validated in longitudinal cohorts of Alzheimer's disease patients. The ADAS-cog examines selected aspects of cognitive performance including elements of memory, orientation, attention, reasoning, language and praxis. The ADAS-cog scoring range is from 0 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive impairment. Elderly normal adults may score as low as 0 or 1, but it is not unusual for non-demented adults to score slightly higher.

The patients recruited as participants in each study had mean scores on the ADAS-cog of approximately 26 points, with a range from 4 to 61. Experience based on longitudinal studies of ambulatory patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease suggest that scores on the ADAS-cog increase (worsen) by 6 – 12 points per year. However, smaller changes may be seen in patients with very mild or very advanced disease since the ADAS-cog is not uniformly sensitive to change over the course of the disease. The annualized rate of decline in the placebo patients participating in donepezil HCl trials was approximately 2 to 4 points per year.

The ability of donepezil HCl to produce an overall clinical effect was assessed using a Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change that required the use of caregiver information, the CIBIC-plus. The CIBIC-plus is not a single instrument and is not a standardized instrument like the ADAS-cog. Clinical trials for investigational drugs have used a variety of CIBIC formats, each different in terms of depth and structure.

As such, results from a CIBIC-plus reflect clinical experience from the trial or trials in which it was used and cannot be compared directly with the results of CIBIC-plus evaluations from other clinical trials. The CIBIC-plus used in donepezil HCl trials was a semi-structured instrument that was intended to examine four major areas of patient function: General, Cognitive, Behavioral and Activities of Daily Living. It represents the assessment of a skilled clinician based upon his/her observations at an interview with the patient, in combination with information supplied by a caregiver familiar with the behavior of the patient over the interval rated. The CIBIC-plus is scored as a seven point categorical rating, ranging from a score of 1, indicating "markedly improved," to a score of 4, indicating "no change" to a score of 7, indicating "markedly worse." The CIBIC-plus has not been systematically compared directly to assessments not using information from caregivers (CIBIC) or other global methods.


Thirty-Week Study

In a study of 30 weeks duration, 473 patients were randomized to receive single daily doses of placebo, 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day of donepezil HCl. The 30-week study was divided into a 24-week double-blind active treatment phase followed by a 6-week single-blind placebo washout period. The study was designed to compare 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day fixed doses of donepezil HCl to placebo. However, to reduce the likelihood of cholinergic effects, the 10 mg/day treatment was started following an initial 7-day treatment with 5 mg/day doses.


Effects on the ADAS-cog: Figure 1 illustrates the time course for the change from baseline in ADAS-cog scores for all three dose groups over the 30 weeks of the study. After 24 weeks of treatment, the mean differences in the ADAS-cog change scores for donepezil HCl treated patients compared to the patients on placebo were 2.8 and 3.1 points for the 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day treatments, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. While the treatment effect size may appear to be slightly greater for the 10 mg/day treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the two active treatments.

Following 6 weeks of placebo washout, scores on the ADAS-cog for both the donepezil HCl treatment groups were indistinguishable from those patients who had received only placebo for 30 weeks. This suggests that the beneficial effects of donepezil HCl abate over 6 weeks following discontinuation of treatment and do not represent a change in the underlying disease. There was no evidence of a rebound effect 6 weeks after abrupt discontinuation of therapy.
Figure 1. Time-course of the Change from Baseline in ADAS-cog Score for Patients Completing 24 Weeks of Treatment.
Figure 2 illustrates the cumulative percentages of patients from each of the three treatment groups who had attained the measure of improvement in ADAS-cog score shown on the X axis. Three change scores, (7-point and 4-point reductions from baseline or no change in score) have been identified for illustrative purposes, and the percent of patients in each group achieving that result is shown in the inset table.

The curves demonstrate that both patients assigned to placebo and donepezil HCl have a wide range of responses, but that the active treatment groups are more likely to show greater improvements. A curve for an effective treatment would be shifted to the left of the curve for placebo, while an ineffective or deleterious treatment would be superimposed upon or shifted to the right of the curve for placebo.
Figure 2. Cumulative Percentage of Patients Completing 24 Weeks of Double-blind Treatment with Specified Changes from Baseline ADAS-cog Scores. The Percentages of Randomized Patients Who Completed the Study were: Placebo 80%, 5 mg/day 85% and 10 mg/day 68%.

Effects on the CIBIC-plus: Figure 3 is a histogram of the frequency distribution of CIBIC-plus scores attained by patients assigned to each of the three treatment groups who completed 24 weeks of treatment. The mean drug-placebo differences for these groups of patients were 0.35 points and 0.39 points for 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day of donepezil HCl, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between the two active treatments.
Figure 3. Frequency Distribution of CIBIC plus Scores at Week 24.

Fifteen-Week Study

In a study of 15 weeks duration, patients were randomized to receive single daily doses of placebo or either 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day of donepezil HCl for 12 weeks, followed by a 3-week placebo washout period. As in the 30-week study, to avoid acute cholinergic effects, the 10 mg/day treatment followed an initial 7-day treatment with 5 mg/day doses.


Effects on the ADAS-Cog: Figure 4 illustrates the time course of the change from baseline in ADAS-cog scores for all three dose groups over the 15 weeks of the study. After 12 weeks of treatment, the differences in mean ADAS-cog change scores for the donepezil HCl-treated patients compared to the patients on placebo were 2.7 and 3.0 points each, for the 5 and 10 mg/day donepezil HCl treatment groups, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. The effect size for the 10 mg/day group may appear to be slightly larger than that for 5 mg/day. However, the differences between active treatments were not statistically significant.
Figure 4. Time-course of the Change from Baseline in ADAS-cog Score for Patients Completing the 15-week Study.
Following 3 weeks of placebo washout, scores on the ADAS-cog for both the donepezil HCl treatment groups increased, indicating that discontinuation of donepezil HCl resulted in a loss of its treatment effect. The duration of this placebo washout period was not sufficient to characterize the rate of loss of the treatment effect, but, the 30-week study (see above) demonstrated that treatment effects associated with the use of donepezil HCl abate within 6 weeks of treatment discontinuation.

Figure 5 illustrates the cumulative percentages of patients from each of the three treatment groups who attained the measure of improvement in ADAS-cog score shown on the X axis. The same three change scores, (7-point and 4-point reductions from baseline or no change in score) as selected for the 30-week study have been used for this illustration. The percentages of patients achieving those results are shown in the inset table.

As observed in the 30-week study, the curves demonstrate that patients assigned to either placebo or to donepezil HCl have a wide range of responses, but that the donepezil HCl treated patients are more likely to show greater improvements in cognitive performance.
Figure 5. Cumulative Percentage of Patients with Specified Changes from Baseline ADAS-cog Scores. The Percentages of Randomized Patients Within Each Treatment Group Who Completed the Study Were: Placebo 93%, 5 mg/day 90% and 10 mg/day 82%.

Effects on the CIBIC-plus: Figure 6 is a histogram of the frequency distribution of CIBIC-plus scores attained by patients assigned to each of the three treatment groups who completed 12 weeks of treatment. The differences in mean scores for donepezil HCl treated patients compared to the patients on placebo at Week 12 were 0.36 and 0.38 points for the 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day treatment groups, respectively. These differences were statistically significant.
Figure 6. Frequency Distribution of CIBIC plus Scores at Week 12.
In both studies, patient age, sex and race were not found to predict the clinical outcome of donepezil HCl treatment.

14.2 Severe Alzheimer's Disease


The effectiveness of donepezil HCl in the treatment of patients with severe Alzheimer's disease was established in studies employing doses of 10 mg/day.


Swedish 6 Month Study

The effectiveness of donepezil HCl as a treatment for severe Alzheimer's disease is demonstrated by the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study conducted in Sweden (6 month study) in patients with probable or possible Alzheimer's disease diagnosed by NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV criteria, MMSE: range of 1–10. Two hundred and forty eight (248) patients with severe Alzheimer's disease were randomized to donepezil HCl or placebo. For patients randomized to donepezil HCl, treatment was initiated at 5 mg once daily for 28 days and then increased to 10 mg once daily. At the end of the 6 month treatment period, 90.5% of the donepezil HCl treated patients were receiving the 10 mg/day dose. The mean age of patients was 84.9 years, with a range of 59 to 99. Approximately 77 % of patients were women, and 23 % were men. Almost all patients were Caucasian. Probable AD was diagnosed in the majority of the patients (83.6% of donepezil HCl treated patients and 84.2% of placebo treated patients).

Study Outcome Measures: The effectiveness of treatment with donepezil HCl was determined using a dual outcome assessment strategy that evaluated cognitive function using an instrument designed for more impaired patients and overall function through caregiver-rated assessment. This study showed that patients on donepezil HCl experienced significant improvement on both measures compared to placebo.

The ability of donepezil HCl to improve cognitive performance was assessed with the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB). The SIB, a multi-li instrument, has been validated for the evaluation of cognitive function in patients with moderate to severe dementia. The SIB evaluates selective aspects of cognitive performance, including elements of memory, language, orientation, attention, praxis, visuospatial ability, construction, and social interaction. The SIB scoring range is from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating greater cognitive impairment.

Daily function was assessed using the Modified Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory for Severe Alzheimer's Disease (ADCS-ADL-severe). The ADCS-ADL-severe is derived from the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory, which is a comprehensive battery of ADL questions used to measure the functional capabilities of patients. Each ADL li is rated from the highest level of independent performance to complete loss. The ADCS-ADL-severe is a subset of 19 lis, including ratings of the patient's ability to eat, dress, bathe, use the telephone, get around (or travel), and perform other activities of daily living; it has been validated for the assessment of patients with moderate to severe dementia. The ADCS-ADL-severe has a scoring range of 0 to 54, with the lower scores indicating greater functional impairment. The investigator performs the inventory by interviewing a caregiver, in this study a nurse staff member, familiar with the functioning of the patient.


Effects on the SIB:

Figure 7 shows the time course for the change from baseline in SIB score for the two treatment groups over the 6 months of the study. At 6 months of treatment, the mean difference in the SIB change scores for donepezil HCl treated patients compared to patients on placebo was 5.9 points. Donepezil HCl treatment was statistically significantly superior to placebo.
Figure 7. Time Course of the Change from Baseline in SIB Score for Patients Completing 6 months of Treatment.
Figure 8 illustrates the cumulative percentages of patients from each of the two treatment groups who attained the measure of improvement in SIB score shown on the X-axis. While patients assigned both to donepezil HCl and to placebo have a wide range of responses, the curves show that the donepezil HCl group is more likely to show a greater improvement in cognitive performance.
Figure 8. Cumulative Percentage of Patients Completing 6 Months of Double-blind Treatment with Particular Changes from Baseline in SIB Scores. Figure 9. Time Course of the Change from Baseline in ADCS-ADL-Severe Score for Patients Completing 6 Months of Treatment.

Effects on the ADCS-ADL-severe: Figure 9 illustrates the time course for the change from baseline in ADCS-ADL-severe scores for patients in the two treatment groups over the 6 months of the study. After 6 months of treatment, the mean difference in the ADCS-ADL-severe change scores for donepezil HCl treated patients compared to patients on placebo was 1.8 points. Donepezil HCl treatment was statistically significantly superior to placebo.

Figure 10 shows the cumulative percentages of patients from each treatment group with specified changes from baseline ADCS-ADL-severe scores. While both patients assigned to donepezil HCl and placebo have a wide range of responses, the curves demonstrate that the donepezil HCl group is more likely to show a smaller decline or an improvement.
Figure 10. Cumulative Percentage of Patients Completing 6 Months of Double-blind Treatment with Particular Changes from Baseline in ADCS-ADL-Severe Scores.

Japanese 24-Week Study

In a study of 24 weeks duration conducted in Japan, 325 patients with severe Alzheimer's disease were randomized to doses of 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day of donepezil HCl, administered once daily, or placebo. Patients randomized to treatment with donepezil HCl were to achieve their assigned doses by titration, beginning at 3 mg/day, and extending over a maximum of 6 weeks. Two hundred and forty eight (248) patients completed the study, with similar proportions of patients completing the study in each treatment group. The primary efficacy measures for this study were the SIB and CIBIC-plus.

At 24 weeks of treatment, statistically significant treatment differences were observed between the 10 mg/day dose of donepezil HCl and placebo on both the SIB and CIBIC-plus. The 5 mg/day dose of donepezil HCl showed a statistically significant superiority to placebo on the SIB, but not on the CIBIC-plus.

16 How Supplied/storage And Handling


16.1. Donepezil HCl Tablets


Supplied as film-coated, round tablets containing either 5 mg or 10 mg of donepezil HCl.

The 5 mg tablets are white. The strength, in mg (5), is debossed on one side and a stylized G is debossed on the other side.

NDC 51079-138-56 - Unit dose buler packages of 300 (10 punch cards of 30 tablets each).

The 10 mg tablets are yellow. The strength, in mg (10), is debossed on one side and a stylized G is debossed on the other side.

NDC 51079-139-56 - Unit dose buler packages of 300 (10 punch cards of 30 tablets each).

Storage: Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.]

17 Patient Counseling Information


See FDA-approved Patient Package Insert attached to this label.

To assure safe and effective use of donepezil HCl, the information and instructions provided in the attached Patient Package Insert should be discussed with patients and caregivers.

Patients and caregivers should be instructed to take donepezil HCl only once per day, as prescribed.

Patients and caregivers should be instructed that donepezil HCl tablets can be taken with or without food. Donepezil HCl ODT should not be swallowed whole, but be allowed to dissolve on the tongue and followed with water. Patients and caregivers should be advised that the product may cause nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue and decreased appetite.

Donepezil Hydrochloride Patient Package Insert


Donepezil hydrochloride (HCl) tablets
  • Tablets: 5 mg and 10 mg

Donepezil HCl orally disintegrating tablets (ODT)
  • ODT Tablets: 5 mg and 10 mg

Read the Patient Information that comes with donepezil HCl before the patient starts taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with the doctor about Alzheimer's disease or treatment for it. If you have questions, ask the doctor or pharmacist.

What is donepezil HCl?

Donepezil HCl comes as donepezil HCl film-coated tablets in dosage strengths of 5 mg and 10 mg and as donepezil HCl Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT; 5 mg and 10 mg). Except where indicated, all the information about donepezil HCl in this leaflet also applies to donepezil HCl ODT.

Donepezil HCl is a prescription medicine to treat mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil HCl can help with mental function and with doing daily tasks. Donepezil HCl does not work the same in all people. Some people may:
  • Seem much better
  • Get better in small ways or stay the same
  • Get worse over time but slower than expected
  • Not change and then get worse as expected

Donepezil HCl does not cure Alzheimer's disease. All patients with Alzheimer's disease get worse over time, even if they take donepezil HCl.

Donepezil HCl has not been approved as a treatment for any medical condition in children.

Who should not take donepezil HCl?

The patient should not take donepezil HCl if allergic to any of the ingredients in donepezil HCl or to medicines that contain piperidines. Ask the patient's doctor if you are not sure. See the end of this leaflet for a ul of ingredients in donepezil HCl.

What should I tell the doctor before the patient takes donepezil HCl?

Tell the doctor about all the patient's present or past health problems. Include:
  • Any heart problems including problems with irregular, slow, or fast heartbeats
  • Asthma or lung problems
  • A seizure
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Trouble swallowing tablets
  • Present pregnancy or plans to become pregnant. It is not known if donepezil HCl can harm an unborn baby.
  • Present breast-feeding. It is not known if donepezil HCl passes into breast milk. Donepezil HCl is not for women who are breast-feeding.

Tell the doctor about all the medicines the patient takes, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Donepezil HCl and other medicines may affect each other.

Be particularly sure to tell the doctor if the patient takes aspirin or medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There are many NSAID medicines, both prescription and non-prescription. Ask the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if any of the patient's medicines are NSAIDs. Taking NSAIDs and donepezil HCl together may make the patient more likely to get stomach ulcers.

Donepezil HCl taken with certain medicines used for anesthesia may cause side effects. Tell the responsible doctor or dentist that the patient takes donepezil HCl before the patient has:
  • surgery
  • medical procedures
  • dental surgery or procedures.

Know the medicines that the patient takes. Keep a ul of all the patient's medicines. Show it to the doctor or pharmacist before the patient starts a new medicine.

How should the patient take donepezil HCl?
  • Give donepezil HCl exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not stop donepezil HCl or change the dose yourself. Talk with the doctor first.
  • Give donepezil HCl one time each day. Donepezil HCl can be taken with or without food.
  • Donepezil HCl ODT melts on the tongue. The patient should drink some water after the tablet melts.
  • If you miss giving the patient a dose of donepezil HCl, just wait. Give only the next dose at the usual time. Do not give 2 doses at the same time.
  • If donepezil HCl is missed for 7 days or more, talk with the doctor before starting again.
  • If the patient takes too much donepezil HCl at one time, call the doctor or poison control center, or go to the emergency room right away.

What are the possible side effects of donepezil HCl?

Donepezil HCl may cause the following serious side effects:
  • slow heartbeat and fainting. This happens more often in people with heart problems. Call the doctor right away if the patient faints while taking donepezil HCl.
  • more stomach acid. This raises the chance of ulcers and bleeding. The risk is higher for patients who had ulcers, or take aspirin or other NSAIDs.
  • worsening of lung problems in people with asthma or other lung disease.
  • seizures.
  • difficulty passing urine.

Call the doctor right away if the patient has:
  • fainting.
  • heartburn or stomach pain that is new or won't go away.
  • nausea or vomiting, blood in the vomit, dark vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
  • bowel movements or stools that look like black tar.
  • new or worse asthma or breathing problems.
  • seizures.
  • difficulty passing urine.

The most common side effects of donepezil HCl are:
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • not sleeping well
  • vomiting
  • muscle cramps
  • feeling tired
  • not wanting to eat

These side effects may get better after the patient takes donepezil HCl for a while. This is not a complete ul of side effects with donepezil HCl. For more information, ask the doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should donepezil HCl be stored ?

Store donepezil HCl at room temperature between 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).

Keep donepezil HCl and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about donepezil HCl

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in this Patient Information Leaflet. Do not use donepezil HCl for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give donepezil HCl to people other than the patient, even if they have the same symptoms as the patient, as it may harm them.

This leaflet summarizes the most important information about donepezil HCl. If you would like more information talk with the patient's doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about donepezil HCl that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in donepezil HCl?

Active ingredient: donepezil hydrochloride Inactive ingredients:
  • Donepezil HCl 5 mg and 10 mg film-coated tablets: lactose monohydrate, cornstarch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains talc, polyethylene glycol, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide. Additionally, the 10 mg tablet contains yellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.
  • Donepezil HCl ODT 5 mg and 10 mg tablets: carrageenan, mannitol, colloidal silicon dioxide, and polyvinyl alcohol. The 10 mg tablet contains yellow iron oxide (synthetic) as a coloring agent.

Manufactured by:Eisai Inc.Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Manufactured for:Greenstone LLCPeapack, NJ 07977

Distributed by:UDL Laboratories, Inc.Rockford, IL 61103

 S-1097711/10

Package Label.principal Display Panel


 

NDC 51079-138-56

DONEPEZIL HClTABLETS5 mg

300 Tablets (10 x 30)  

Each tablet contains 5 mgdonepezil hydrochloride.

Usual Dosage: See accompanying prescribing information.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).[See USP Controlled RoomTemperature.]

Manufactured by: Eisai Inc.Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Manufactured for: Greenstone LLCPeapack, NJ 07977

Rx only

S-10978

Packaged and Distributed by:UDL LABORATORIES, INC.ROCKFORD, IL 61103

This unit dose package is not child resistant.

For institutional use only.

Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.

This container provides light-resistance.

See window for lot number and expiration date.

Package Label.principal Display Panel


NDC 51079-139-56

DONEPEZIL HClTABLETS10 mg

300 Tablets (10 x 30)  

Each tablet contains 10 mgdonepezil hydrochloride.

Usual Dosage: See accompanying prescribing information.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).[See USP Controlled RoomTemperature.]

Manufactured by: Eisai Inc.Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Manufactured for: Greenstone LLCPeapack, NJ 07977

Rx only

S-10979

Packaged and Distributed by:UDL LABORATORIES, INC.ROCKFORD, IL 61103

This unit dose package is not child resistant.

For institutional use only.

Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.

This container provides light-resistance.

See window for lot number and expiration date.

DISCLAIMER:

"This tool does not provide medical advice, and is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Call your doctor to receive medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please dial 911."

"Do not rely on openFDA to make decisions regarding medical care. While we make every effort to ensure that data is accurate, you should assume all results are unvalidated. We may limit or otherwise restrict your access to the API in line with our Terms of Service."

"This product uses publicly available data from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services; NLM is not responsible for the product and does not endorse or recommend this or any other product."

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