PEBC: What You Need to Know: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Examples: donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine

Indication: dementia

Dosing:

Donepezil and galantamine: once daily

Rivastigmine: twice daily

Adverse Effects:

-diarrhea

-nausea and vomiting

-bradycardia

-urinary frequency

-nightmares or insomnia

-may affect asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Drug Interactions:

-beta-blockers and diltiazem/verapamil - increased risk of bradycardia

-donepezil and galantamine levels may be increased by CYP2D6 (ex. terbinafine) and CYP3A4 inhibitors (ex. clarithromycin)

-rivastigmine has low risk of drug interactions