The best time to take your medication
This week: Dementia pills
PATIENTS are advised to take dementia drug donepezil (brand name Aricept) in the evening because it can cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps and fatigue. Taken at bedtime, patients are able to sleep through these side effects.
However, a 2014 US study published in the Mental Health Clinician, found that almost half of patients have vivid dreams or nightmares if they take the medication in the evening (only half reported these problems if they took the drug in the morning).
Researchers said: "Patients were three times more likely to report sleep disturbances if they were taking donepezil at night."
Taking donepezil at the same time each day is important to keep levels of the drug as steady as possible to maximise its effectiveness. If you do experience sleep problems, it is fine to switch to the morning. Take it after food to reduce nausea.
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