Donepezil for the management of patients with Alzheimer's disease: A good choice from among the cholinesterase inhibitors

Donepezil is a reversible, noncompetitive cholinesterase inhibitor selective for acetylcholinesterase which is indicated in the management of patients with Alzheimer's disease of mild to moderate severity. The drug has a simple once-daily dosage schedule and at dosages of 5 and 10 mg/day it improves cognition and global clinical function in the short term (up to 24 weeks) and long term (for up to about 1 year) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Improvements in the activities of daily living have also been observed with donepezil 10 mg/day. Adverse events associated with donepezil are mainly cholinergic. Donepezil has been extensively studied and should be considered a first-line treatment in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.