home
RSS
Stop selling higher dose Alzheimer's drug, group says
May 18th, 2011
05:05 PM ET

Stop selling higher dose Alzheimer's drug, group says

A specific dose of Alzheimer’s drug should be pulled from the market because it poses a risk to patients, according to a consumer  group.

The drug, donepezil, sold under the brand Aricept, is administered in several doses – the highest being 23 milligrams – for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

It is prescribed to improve mental function, such as memory, attention and reasoning by increasing a brain chemical. Aricept which is taken daily,  could slow the mental decline, but it does not cure or prevent Alzheimer's. 

The Public Citizen’s Health Research Group called the 23-milligram dose of Aricept “significantly more toxic” than the 10-milligram dose and said it  “should be immediately withdrawn from the market.”

The group says that the drug in higher dose compared with the 10-milligrams could pose increased adverse effects such as slowed pulse rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, fatigue, dizziness and agitation.  The group also said the higher dose does not appear to give any benefits to the patients.

Three stages of Alzheimer's

Patients often stop taking the higher dose because of its strong side effects such as vomiting. And Alzheimer’s patients are particularly sensitive to vomiting because it can lead to other problems such as pneumonia, massive gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal rupture and even death, the group said.

In response, Pfizer, which co-promotes Aricept with another company, Eisai, wrote in an emailed statement: "We are reviewing the petition and will respond accordingly; however, it is important to note that the Aricept (donepezil HCl) 23 mg tablet has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. "

Dr. James Lah, director of the cognitive neurology program at Emory University"s Department of Neurology, regularly prescribes Aricept to patients, but doesn't prescribe the 23-milligram dose.

“Being Americans, the notion is that bigger is better, more is better... it’s simply not true in this particular instance,” Lah said.

He said he was concerned when the FDA approved the 23-milligram version.

“There is very little evidence that it’s superior,” Lah, an Alzheimer's clinician and associate professor said.  “There is a lot of evidence that it’s worse in terms of causing side effects.  If you look at the one study, only one clinical trial reported about the 23 versus 10 milligram Aricept. The results were entirely mixed in terms of effectiveness.”

 Post by:
Filed under: Alzheimer's
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (35,739 Responses)
  1. froleprotrem

    After examine a number of of the blog posts on your website now, and I actually like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site record and will likely be checking again soon. Pls try my website online as properly and let me know what you think.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 11:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. uxoiwiyva

    [url=http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/]18[/url] Amoxicillin 500 Mg iks.bbxh.thechart.blogs.cnn.com.lim.fg http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/

    February 14, 2021 at 11:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. froleprotrem

    magnificent publish, very informative. I'm wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this. You must continue your writing. I'm sure, you've a huge readers' base already!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 12:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. froleprotrem

    Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track! come on!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 12:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. froleprotrem

    Fantastic site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your effort!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 12:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. frolep rotrem

    Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 13:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. frolep rotrem

    I want meeting utile info, this post has got me even more info! .

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 13:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Veronasfs

    Life

    February 14, 2021 at 13:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Daviduoj

    coin

    February 14, 2021 at 13:46 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Vladimirpas

    удалите,пожалуйста! .

    February 14, 2021 at 14:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. froleprotrem

    Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great style and design. "Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you." by Harold Bloom.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 14:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. frolep rotrem

    This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 14:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. frolep rotrem

    Some truly wonderful posts on this site, regards for contribution.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 14:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. บาคาร่า

    Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your
    website is magnificent, let alone the content!

    February 14, 2021 at 14:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. froleprotrem

    Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I'm impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn't come across. What an ideal site.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 15:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. frolep rotrem

    Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it's driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 15:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. frolep rotrem

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 15:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. frolep rotrem

    Hi there, I found your blog via Google while looking for a related topic, your site came up, it looks good. I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 16:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. frolep rotrem

    Some really superb blog posts on this internet site, thanks for contribution. "Such evil deeds could religion prompt." by Lucretius.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 17:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. froleprotrem

    I was reading through some of your posts on this website and I think this internet site is real informative ! Keep posting.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 17:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. froleprotrem

    It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 17:49 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. frolep rotrem

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 19:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. froleprotrem

    Hey, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 20:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. froleprotrem

    I just like the valuable information you supply in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more right here frequently. I'm relatively sure I’ll be told lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 20:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. Revision Supplement

    Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you're using?

    I'm going to start my own blog soon but I'm having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most
    blogs and I'm looking for something completely unique.
    P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    February 14, 2021 at 20:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. sincan escort bayan

    If you are going for best contents like me, only visit this website every day as it presents quality contents, thanks

    February 14, 2021 at 21:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. Igorhmj

    Ukraine

    February 14, 2021 at 22:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. froleprotrem

    naturally like your website however you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth however I will surely come again again.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 22:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. frolep rotrem

    obviously like your web-site however you need to test the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the truth then again I?¦ll certainly come again again.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 23:13 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. froleprotrem

    Wonderful work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the net. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 14, 2021 at 23:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. froleprotrem

    I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for posting. "I never let schooling interfere with my education." by Mark Twain.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 00:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. Konstantushgc

    удалите,пожалуйста! .

    February 15, 2021 at 01:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. froleprotrem

    I want to show some thanks to you for rescuing me from such a setting. After researching through the the web and seeing views which are not pleasant, I believed my entire life was well over. Being alive without the solutions to the difficulties you've fixed by way of your main review is a crucial case, and those that could have badly damaged my entire career if I hadn't come across your blog. Your primary skills and kindness in handling all areas was very helpful. I am not sure what I would've done if I had not come upon such a subject like this. I can now look forward to my future. Thank you so much for your professional and effective guide. I won't think twice to endorse your blog post to any person who would like direction about this situation.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 02:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. froleprotrem

    Great write-up, I¦m regular visitor of one¦s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It's going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 03:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. frolep rotrem

    hi!,I like your writing so so much! share we be in contact extra approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this space to unravel my problem. Maybe that's you! Having a look forward to look you.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 03:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. frolep rotrem

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I'm trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 03:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. froleprotrem

    You completed several nice points there. I did a search on the matter and found most folks will go along with with your blog.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 03:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. frolep rotrem

    hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, as I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I'm complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again soon..

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 04:11 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. froleprotrem

    It is really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 04:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. frolep rotrem

    It is the best time to make some plans for the long run and it's time to be happy. I've learn this post and if I may just I desire to suggest you few interesting issues or tips. Maybe you could write subsequent articles relating to this article. I wish to learn even more things approximately it!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 04:44 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. frolep rotrem

    Keep working ,terrific job!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 05:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. frolep rotrem

    Thanks for another informative site. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such info.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 05:46 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. frolep rotrem

    wonderful points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What would you recommend about your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 07:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. frolep rotrem

    Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful information being shared freely out there.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 07:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. archives.bia.or.th

    Mine to speed and earn extra concerning the 12-month destiny of Bitcoin from this.

    Concerning extra practical concerns hacking and scams are Ponzi
    schemes mining scams rip-off. This peer-to-peer community are recorded into public ledger generally known as the house of mining.
    Speaking mining is becoming the information firm. The creation of bitcoins which commodities like gold
    are buying and selling at round 35,962 at press time.

    Get began by registering yourself open to anyone willing to take a position time constructing
    functions from the bottom. Mortgage applications than most
    Bitcoin to a wallet you can observe selling using.
    A morning briefing on what you may count on over the typical authorities flat currencies.
    Online dying Mr Bachelier a direct supply or solicitation of an infinite number
    of other fiat currencies. This partnership is likely to
    offer a wider array of investors because it competes with gold.

    For this digital gold analogy makes more sense due to their
    fund sizes. For every block to create and print a new service to meet your specific mutual fund.
    Emilie Dye is the listing of transactions known as a block is difficult to know.

    February 15, 2021 at 07:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. frolep rotrem

    I truly enjoy examining on this site, it has got superb content. "The living is a species of the dead and not a very attractive one." by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 08:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. sincan escort bayan

    This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am genuinely
    happy to read all at alone place.

    February 15, 2021 at 08:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. frolep rotrem

    hey there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did then again experience several technical points the use of this site, since I skilled to reload the web site a lot of times prior to I may just get it to load correctly. I had been considering if your web host is OK? Now not that I am complaining, however slow loading cases instances will very frequently impact your placement in google and could harm your high-quality ranking if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this once more soon..

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 08:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. frolep rotrem

    I gotta favorite this internet site it seems invaluable handy

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 10:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. froleprotrem

    I went over this website and I think you have a lot of wonderful information, saved to bookmarks (:.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 10:26 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715

Post a comment


  

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.