Aricept
Aricept is prescribed to patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Aricept may help with memory loss and behavioral changes.
Aricept works by preventing the breakdown of an important brain chemical that affects thinking, memory and reasoning. Alzheimer’s patients often experience dementia, and Aricept can help with most forms of dementia, from mild to moderate. However, Aricept does have some harmful side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attacks and strokes, and complications during anesthesia.
Alzheimer’s affects more than 5 million people in the U.S. The disease destroys brain cells, which makes it difficult to work, complete daily tasks, and remember even the basics. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death, and it has no cure. Serious memory loss and confusion is not a typical sign of normal aging; people should talk to their doctors immediately once they begin experiencing these and other signs, like:
- forgetting the names of friends, family and familiar places
- forget words and have trouble finishing sentences
- forget the location of items they use everyday
These are the early signs of Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses, more serious signs include:
- general confusion
- depression
- agitation
- problems speaking, finishing sentences, problem-solving
- personality changes
- trouble eating and sleeping
- wandering without any direction or goal
- paranoia and delusions
- inability to control bodily functions
Aricept helps to prevent the breakdown of brain chemicals that help with thinking, memory and reasoning. Aricept has been shown to improve thinking, perception, judgment and reasoning.
Aricept can cause injury or death to an unborn baby; do not take Aricept if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Aricept can cause other injury as well:
- anesthesia; during anesthesia, patients taking Aricept experience extreme muscle relaxation, which can lead to their heart stopping
- gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers and bleeding, as well as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- seizures
- lung complications like increased asthma symptoms and lung disease
- allergic reactions
- reactions with other medications
If you are injured because of Aricept, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.