Donepezil Hcl Coupons & Prices

Looking for a donepezil HCl coupon? Donepezil hydrochloride is the low-cost generic version of Aricept, an FDA-approved medicine for treating dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Because it is a widely available generic, the cash price is already modest, but what you pay can vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next. Rx.com compares donepezil prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find today's lowest price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see the current price and a free coupon you can bring to the pharmacy counter.

What is donepezil and how does it work?

Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase (cholinesterase) inhibitor. It works by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in the brain involved in memory and thinking. By raising acetylcholine levels, donepezil can improve cognition and help slow the progression of symptoms in people with Alzheimer's disease. It is FDA-approved for dementia of the Alzheimer's type: the 5 mg and 10 mg strengths for mild, moderate, and severe disease, and the 23 mg strength for moderate-to-severe disease.

It is important to understand what donepezil does and does not do. It can help manage symptoms, but it is not a cure and does not stop the underlying disease from progressing. Donepezil is the generic form of the brand-name drug Aricept (also sold as Aricept ODT and as the Adlarity transdermal patch).

Donepezil cost without insurance and how to save

Donepezil is available as a generic, which usually makes it one of the more affordable options in its class. Even so, the cash price without insurance is not the same at every pharmacy, and the gap between the highest and lowest price in the same town can be significant. That is exactly why comparing matters. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and shows you a free coupon for the lowest one, whether or not you have insurance.

To see what donepezil costs near you, enter your ZIP above and the current price will display right on this page. The coupon is free to use and works at most major and independent pharmacies. If your prescriber writes for the brand name, ask whether the generic donepezil is appropriate, since it typically costs far less for the same active medicine.

Donepezil vs. other Alzheimer's and dementia medicines

Donepezil is one of several medicines used for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Other cholinesterase inhibitors work in a similar way, while memantine works differently and is sometimes combined with donepezil. Related options your provider may discuss include:

• Aricept — the brand-name version of donepezil.
• Rivastigmine and galantamine — other cholinesterase inhibitors.
• Memantine (brand Namenda) — an NMDA receptor antagonist that works by a different mechanism.

Which medicine is right depends on the stage of disease, other health conditions, and how well it is tolerated. This is a decision to make with your provider, not something to switch on your own.

Donepezil safety and side effects

Donepezil has no boxed warning, but there are important safety points to know. As a cholinesterase inhibitor it can slow the heart rate and, rarely, cause heart block or fainting, so it is used with caution in people with sick sinus syndrome or heart conduction problems. It can increase stomach acid, which raises the risk of ulcers and GI bleeding, especially for those who take NSAIDs or have an ulcer history. It may also worsen asthma or COPD, urinary blockage, and seizures. Rare but serious reactions such as rhabdomyolysis and neuroleptic malignant syndrome have been reported, and the risk is higher at the 23 mg dose. If you are having surgery, tell your anesthesiologist, because donepezil can exaggerate the effect of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine.

The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, muscle cramps, fatigue, and reduced appetite or weight loss. This information is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your full medical history and other medicines before starting or changing donepezil.