Taking donepezil with other medicines and herbal supplements

Some medicines do not mix well with donepezil. They can increase the risk of side effects or stop donepezil working as well as it should.

Tell your doctor if you or the person you're caring for:

• take medicines used for heart problems like amiodarone, atenolol, bisoprolol, digoxin or verapamil
• take medicines for epilepsy, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine
• take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin (including low-dose aspirin) or ibuprofen
• take risperidone, olanzapine or fluoxetine, or any other medicines for mental health issues
• take antibiotics, such as erythromycin or rifampicin
• are due to have general or local anaesthetic (for an operation or a minor procedure)

These are not all the medicines that affect the way donepezil works.

For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

It's usually OK to take paracetamol with donepezil.

Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, without checking with a doctor first.

St John's wort, a herbal remedy used for depression, can lower the levels of donepezil in your blood. This can stop your medicine from working as well as it should.

There's not enough information to say that other complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with donepezil. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.