Aricept approved by FDA

1996

• Aricept (Donepezil hydrochloride), prevents breakdown of acetylcholine
• It is manufactured under a joint agreement between Pfizer and Eisai
• Aricept is the #1 drug prescribed for the treatment of symptoms in AD patients with mild-moderate levels of cognitive impairment
• There were 3 main placebo-controlled studies which showed an improvement in cognition over baseline at the end of 6 months (Rogers & Friedhoff, 1996, 1998; Rogers et al, 1998)
• There was also evidence that were changes in behavioral and non-cognitive symptoms (Burns et al, 1999)

1. Rogers & Friedhoff (1996) Dementia 7, 293-303.
2. Rogers & Friedhoff (1998) European Neurphychopharmacology 8, 67-75
3. Rogers et al 1998. Arch Int. Med. 158, 1021-1031
4. Burns et al 1999. Int. J Geriatric Psychopharm 10,237-244