Donepezil

In 2016, the global burden of dementia was estimated to be 43.8 million, demonstrating a significant increase from a global prevalence of 20.2 million in 1990. Donepezil, also known as Aricept, is a piperidine derivative acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the management of the dementia of Alzheimer's Disease, and in some cases, is used to manage other types of dementia.

Donepezil was first approved by the FDA in 1996, and its extended-release form was approved in combination with Memantine in 2014 to manage moderate and severe forms of Alzheimer's dementia. A donepezil transdermal delivery system, Adlarity, was approved by the FDA in March 2022 for the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia. Though it does not alter the progression of Alzheimer's disease, donepezil is effective in managing the symptoms of its associated dementia.

Donepezil, administered orally or via transdermal delivery system, is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. It is also available as an extended-release capsule in combination with memantine for the treatment of moderate-to-severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type in patients previously stabilized on 10mg of donepezil hydrochloride once daily.

Off-label uses include the management of vascular dementia, Parkinson's Disease-associated dementia, and Lewy body dementia, amongst others.