Fluoxetine, erythromycin,and phenytoin can alter the metabolism of aricept. The action results in prolonged inhibition of acetylcholinesterase after the drug has been cleared from blood. Therapy requires careful monitoring of intake by the patient's physician and caregiver. The initial dose is generally 1.5 milligrams twice a day. The maximum recommended dose is 6 milligrams twice a day.
Side effects are usually mild and appear during the escalation phase of treatment.
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain,loss of appetite and weight loss. Exelon does not seem to interact with warfarin,digoxin,diazepam, or fluoxetine in healthy volunteers. Rivastigmine may increase the effect of succinylcholine muscle relaxants during surgical anaesthesia. The drug is most useful in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The drug is taken with food.