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The hydrochloride salt of a piperidine derivative with neurocognitive-enhancing activity. Donepezil (Aricept) reversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase, thereby blocking the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and, consequently, increasing its activity. This agent may improve neurocognitive function in Alzheimer's disease, reduce sedation associated with opioid treatment of cancer pain, and improve neurocognitive function in patients who have received radiation therapy for primary brain tumors or brain metastases. Donepezil (Aricept) is the most prescribed Alzheimer's disease therapy worldwide.

Patients divided over Alzheimer’s drug: Is it a ‘risk I’m willing to take’ or just a ‘magic pill’?

If you listen to the nation's largest Alzheimer's disease advocacy organizations, you might think everyone living with Alzheimer's wants unfettered access to Aduhelm, a controversial new treatment.

7 Mar 2022

Alzheimer's drug reverses brain damage in rats exposed to alcohol during adolescence

A drug used to slow cognitive decline in adults with Alzheimer's disease appears to reverse brain inflammation and neuron damage in rats exposed to alcohol during adolescence.

20 Aug 2019

Alzheimer's drug prescribed off-label could accelerate cognitive decline for some patients

Donepezil, a medication that is approved to treat people with Alzheimer's disease, should not be prescribed for people with mild cognitive impairment without a genetic test.

24 Feb 2017

More research needed before recommending antidepressants, Alzheimer's disease drugs for stroke recovery: Study

Evidence is mounting that drugs used to treat depression and Alzheimer's disease also can help patients recover from strokes. But there are conflicting findings from studies of these and other drugs given to recovering stroke patients.

22 Oct 2015

First patients screened in Axovant's phase 3 study of RVT-101

Axovant Sciences Ltd., a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of dementia, today announced the first patients screened in MINDSET, a confirmatory global phase 3 study of Axovant's lead product candidate, RVT-101. Axovant also announced that the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have agreed to a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) supporting this phase 3 program.

6 Oct 2015

New drug shows promise in slowing Alzheimer’s disease

New research findings have fuelled hopes of a drug that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

23 Jul 2015

Nicotine metabolite supports learning, memory by amplifying action of primary chemical messenger

Nicotine's primary metabolite supports learning and memory by amplifying the action of a primary chemical messenger involved in both, researchers report.

19 Feb 2015

Study: Prostate cancer drug stabilizes memory loss for a year in women with Alzheimer's disease

Women with Alzheimer's disease showed stable cognition for a year when a drug that is more commonly used to treat advanced prostate cancer was added to their drug regimen, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

22 Jan 2015

Alzheimer's drug Aricept (donepezil) linked to serious side effects

New warnings have been added to the prescribing information for the Alzheimer's drug Aricept (donepezil) advising of the risk of two rare but potentially serious conditions: muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and a neurological disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

21 Jan 2015

FDA approves Namzaric drug for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease

Actavis plc and Adamas Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for Namzaric, a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of memantine hydrochloride extended-release, a NMDA receptor antagonist, and donepezil hydrochloride, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

25 Dec 2014

Anavex Life Sciences qualifies to trade on OTCQX

OTC Markets Group Inc., operator of Open, Transparent and Connected financial marketplaces, today announced that Anavex Life Sciences Corp., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel drug candidates to treat Alzheimer's disease, other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), and various types of cancer, has qualified to trade on OTCQX, the best marketplace for established, global and growth companies.

14 Dec 2014

Neuronetrix selected to support upcoming ANAVEX 2-73 Phase 2a clinical trial

Neuronetrix has been selected by Anavex Life Sciences Corp. to support the upcoming Phase 2a clinical trial for ANAVEX 2-73, a symptomatic and potentially disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Neuronetrix will be utilizing their COGNISION System to measure and analyze cognitive biomarkers in study participants.

7 Nov 2014

TWi Pharmaceuticals obtains final ANDA approval for Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 23 mg

TWi Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has received final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 23 mg, the generic equivalent to Eisai Inc.'s Aricept 23mg.

30 Oct 2014

Investigational drug focuses on slowing Alzheimer's disease progression

Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease currently have no treatment options to slow brain cell deterioration. Researchers at Houston Methodist's Nantz National Alzheimer Center are studying an investigational drug that proposes to do just that.

21 Aug 2014

Eisai collaborates with Biogen Idec to develop and commercialize treatment options for AD

Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Idec announced today that they have entered into a collaboration to develop and commercialize two of Eisai's clinical candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD), E2609 and BAN2401.

5 Mar 2014

Research findings may pave way to new treatment for Alzheimer's disease in humans

A drug developed by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, known as J147, reverses memory deficits and slows Alzheimer's disease in aged mice following short-term treatment.

14 May 2013

Anavex invited to submit funding application for Phase 2a trial of ANAVEX 2-73

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. ("Anavex") (OTCQB: AVXL) today announced that it has been invited to submit a full grant application to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation ("ADDF") for a Phase 2a trial of ANAVEX 2-73.

7 May 2013

Scientists demonstrate new approach for quickly assembling drug-like compounds

A team of scientists anchored at Yale University has demonstrated a new, highly versatile approach for quickly assembling drug-like compounds, establishing a broad new route to drug discovery and medical treatment.

11 Feb 2013

Ginkgo biloba supplements fail to improve cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis

A research study conducted by Dr. Jesus Lovera, Assistant Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, and colleagues has found that the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

12 Sep 2012

ASS234 molecule inhibits aggregation of the Alzheimer's protein

Researchers at Universitat Aut-noma de Barcelona (UAB), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Barcelona (UB) have developed a multitarget molecule, ASS234, which according to the results of in vitro studies conducted, inhibits the aggregation of the --amyloid protein, involved in Alzheimer's disease.

5 Jun 2012