donepezil side-effects

[Pinkpetite]

Hello, I am new here and writing for my mother who is 85 and just recently been diagnosed with 'probable' alzheimers. She started on donepezil 5mg just over 3 weeks ago and immediately began saying she thinks it's making her more tired during the day. She is also getting headaches the next morning, not sleeping well as she keeps napping throughout the day, and getting quite emotional at times.

She does drink a glass of wine with lunch and a sherry or gin and tonic in the afternoon and a glass of wine with dinner. Is alcohol ok with this medication? She says she's taking it to perk her up.

She is supposed to go up to the 10mg dose on Monday. My dad is hoping the side effects might be less and she might feel the higher dose is more helpful. At the moment the medication doesn't seem to be doing anything positive particularly.

Are there other medications she could ask for that might suit her better?

Anyone had similar experiences on donepezil?

We are just starting out on this horrible journey so would appreciate anyone's experience. Thank you.

[FearFracture]

Alcohol for seniors is never a good idea and she is definitely consuming too much. Alcohol only makes ppl more confused, so it’s especially not good for ppl with memory issues. I have no info on the meds she’s taking, but I can’t think of too many meds that aren’t effected by alcohol. Best person to ask is your pharmacist.

[Pinkpetite in reply to FearFracture]

OK thanks for replying.

[Huskyy]

Thought you might be interested: The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Cassava Sciences Inc involving manipulated research results for its experimental Alzheimer's drug. newsmax.com/politics/alzhei...