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Donepezil 5 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes

Prescription required (Schedule H)

Common uses: Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease – to help memory, thinking and daily functioning; Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia, when a specialist prescribes it.

Listed MRPs range from ₹1.88 to ₹13.02 per tablet across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.

Price comparison

NPPA ceiling price: ₹12.40 / 1 tablet (NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam – ceiling price, S.O. 1575(E) dated 25-Mar-2026, 19 October 2026)
BrandManufacturerPackMRP₹ / tabletAs on
Donepezil Tablets IP 5 mgJan AushadhiJan Aushadhi (PMBJP)10₹18.75₹1.8819 October 2026
Donpezem 5Leeford Healthcare Ltd10₹89.06₹8.9119 October 2026
Lapezil 5La Renon Healthcare Pvt Ltd10₹125.62₹12.5619 October 2026
Donecept 5Cipla Ltd10₹127.15₹12.7119 October 2026
Aricep 5Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt Ltd10₹130.00₹13.0019 October 2026
Donep 5Alkem Laboratories Ltd15₹195.14₹13.0119 October 2026
Alzil 5Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd10₹130.20₹13.0219 October 2026

MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.

Uses

  • Mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease – to help memory, thinking and daily functioning.
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia, when a specialist prescribes it.
  • Severe Alzheimer's disease, in some cases, under a specialist.

How to take it

Take one 5 mg tablet once a day, usually at bedtime, with or without food. Swallow with water; mouth-dissolving tablets are placed on the tongue and allowed to melt. If it causes vivid dreams or disturbed sleep, your doctor may switch it to the morning. Doctors usually start at 5 mg and may increase to 10 mg after about a month. Donepezil does not cure dementia; it may slow the decline in symptoms for a time, and regular check-ups will assess whether it is still helping. Do not stop without talking to the doctor, as symptoms can worsen. If doses are missed for more than a week, ask the doctor before restarting. See a doctor promptly for fainting, black stools, severe vomiting or a seizure.

Side effects

Common

  • Nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite.
  • Headache.
  • Dizziness or daytime sleepiness.
  • Vivid dreams or trouble sleeping.
  • Muscle cramps.

Serious

Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.

  • Slow heartbeat or fainting – tell your doctor.
  • Black stools, blood in vomit, or severe stomach pain (gut ulcer or bleeding).
  • Seizures.
  • Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (liver problem), or high fever with stiff muscles, sweating and confusion.

Safety information

Alcohol

Avoid alcohol. It worsens confusion, dizziness and memory, and makes falls more likely.

Pregnancy

Not usually relevant, but it is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Kidney problems

No dose change is usually needed, but tell the doctor about kidney disease.

Liver problems

Use with caution in liver disease; the doctor may keep the dose low.

Children

Not for children.

Missed dose

Skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Do not double up. If more than a week of doses has been missed, speak to the doctor before restarting.

Interactions

  • Heart medicines – atenolol, bisoprolol, digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone – more risk of a slow heartbeat or fainting.
  • Painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac – higher risk of stomach ulcer and bleeding.
  • Anticholinergic medicines – some bladder tablets, antihistamines like chlorpheniramine, amitriptyline – work against donepezil.
  • Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine), rifampicin and St John's wort – can lower donepezil levels.
  • Erythromycin, ketoconazole, fluoxetine – can raise donepezil levels.
  • Tell the anaesthetist before any surgery, as donepezil affects some muscle relaxants.

Frequently asked questions

What is Donep 5 used for?

Donep 5 contains donepezil 5 mg, a medicine for Alzheimer's disease and some other dementias. It raises the level of a brain chemical (acetylcholine) involved in memory and can slow the worsening of symptoms for a time.

Does Donep cure Alzheimer's?

No. It does not cure or stop the disease. It can improve or stabilise memory and daily functioning in some people for months to a year or more, after which decline usually continues.

Donep 5 vs Donep 10 – which one?

Treatment starts at 5 mg once daily. After about a month, if it is tolerated, the doctor may raise it to 10 mg, which tends to work slightly better but causes more nausea and diarrhoea.

Should Donep 5 be taken at night or in the morning?

Bedtime is usual, because the tablet can cause dizziness. If it causes nightmares or disturbed sleep, the doctor may switch it to the morning.

Can I give Aricep 5 with memantine (Admenta)?

Yes, doctors often combine donepezil with memantine in moderate to severe Alzheimer's. They work in different ways and the combination is well studied.

What are the side effects of Donep 5 in elderly people?

Nausea, loose motions, loss of appetite, muscle cramps and vivid dreams are common. A slow pulse and fainting are the main serious risks, so report dizziness or falls to the doctor.

Can Donep be stopped suddenly?

Stopping can lead to a quicker loss of the benefit and worsening symptoms. Always discuss it with the doctor first; if more than a week of doses is missed, the doctor may restart at 5 mg.

Is Donep 5 safe with blood pressure or heart tablets?

Beta blockers, digoxin and verapamil add to the risk of a slow heartbeat. Tell the doctor about all heart medicines so the pulse can be checked.

Is Donep available without prescription?

No. Donepezil is a Schedule H medicine and dementia needs a proper diagnosis by a neurologist or psychiatrist before treatment.

Sources

Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated

This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms