Ch 22 Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease

Donepezil

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

A client with a diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimer type has been taking donepezil 10 mg/day for 3 months. The client's partner calls the clinic and reports that the client has increasing restlessness and agitation accompanied by nausea. What does the nurse advise the partner to do? A. Give the medication with food B. Administer the medication to the partner at bedtime C. Omit one dose today and start with a lower dose tomorrow D. Bring the partner to the clinic for testing and a physical examination

D. Many people with dementia experience physical problems such as urinary tract infections but cannot adequately verbalize what is happening. They may just become more restless and agitated. Because the client has been taking this does for 3 months, the problems are probably not being caused by the medication. The client should be brought in for an evaluation. Taking the medication with meals is recommended to decrease gastrointestinal side effects, but this client is experiencing more than GI effects. Donepezil (Aricept) can cause insomnia. The client is already restless and agitated. Taking the medication at bedtime will not help. The nurse should not advise modification of the dosage without consulting the HCP.

alzheimer's disease

progressive memory loss degeneration of neurons reduced cholinergic transmission