What it's used for
Donepezil hydrochloride tablets are used to treat dementia of the Alzheimer's type, demonstrating effectiveness in mild, moderate, and severe cases.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
For mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg once daily in the evening, with a maximum recommended dose of 10 mg per day.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
What it looks like
Illustrative only — appearance varies by manufacturer and strength. Photo credit: NLM Pillbox.
Common side effects
The most common adverse reactions include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other everything else medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Donepezil cost without insurance
Cash prices for Donepezil without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Donepezil is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Donepezil dosage and administration
Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: 5 mg to 10 mg once daily ( 2.1 ) Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease: 10 mg to 23 mg once daily ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease The recommended starting dosage of donepezil hydrochloride tablet is 5 mg administered once per day in the evening, just prior to retiring. The maximum recommended dosage of donepezil hydrochloride tablets in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease is 10 mg per day. A dose of 10 mg should not be administered until patients have been on a daily dose of 5 mg for 4 to 6 weeks. 2.2 Dosing in Moderate to Severe Alzheimer’s Disease The recommended starting dosage of donepezil hydrochloride tablet is 5 mg administered once per day in the evening, just prior to retiring.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Donepezil side effects
Most common adverse reactions in clinical studies of donepezil hydrochloride are nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and anorexia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-399-2561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/ medwatch . The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiovascular Conditions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Nausea and Vomiting [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ]. Peptic Ulcer Disease and GI Bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ]. Weight Loss [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. Genitourinary Conditions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ]. Neurological Conditions: Seizures [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ) ].
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Donepezil drug interactions
Cholinesterase inhibitors have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications ( 7.1 ). A synergistic effect may be expected with concomitant administration of succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists ( 7.2 ). 7.1 Use with Anticholinergics Because of their mechanism of action, cholinesterase inhibitors have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications. 7.2 Use with Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors A synergistic effect may be expected when cholinesterase inhibitors are given concurrently with succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take donepezil
Known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives ( 4 ) Donepezil hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to donepezil hydrochloride or to piperidine derivatives.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is donepezil covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Donepezil is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get donepezil through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a donepezil prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does donepezil cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for donepezil vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Donepezil is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get donepezil?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of donepezil are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of donepezil?
Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: 5 mg to 10 mg once daily ( 2.1 ) Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease: 10 mg to 23 mg once daily ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease The recommended starting dosage of donepezil hydrochloride tablet is 5 mg administered once per day in the evening, just prior to retiring. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of donepezil?
Most common adverse reactions in clinical studies of donepezil hydrochloride are nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and anorexia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-399-2561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/ medwatch . (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with donepezil?
Cholinesterase inhibitors have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications ( 7.1 ). A synergistic effect may be expected with concomitant administration of succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists ( 7.2 ). (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Donepezil is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
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