Suggest Treatment For Severe Insomnia When On Aricept

Posted on Fri, 30 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 Answered on

Sat, 28 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My family doctor put me on Aricept because he said I had memory loss. I then received from Worst Pills a list that no one should take. Why & what is wrong with them? I am a very fit 80 yr. old woman of Irish descent & otherwise healthy. Everyone thinks I'm years younger. I have taken Ambien 5 to 10 mgs., & either Ativan or Valium 5 mg. for years. I have had severe insomnia for years.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It could be due to slow heart beat

Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.

Aricept contains donepezil. It helps to control dementia. It has anticholinergic effect, so it is not good for patients with sick sinus syndrome ( slow heart beat) or any cardiac ailment. At age of 80, many patients have slow heart beat. Better to consult your physician again and tell him about the side effects. In case, you need any medication for dementia, you can try memantine. Rest, you can discuss with your physician.

In case, you need further help, you can ask.

Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar