How Much Does Donepezil Cost in Mexico vs the USA?

Donepezil hydrochloride tablet is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's Disease ( 1 ). Donepezil hydrochloride tablet is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.

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. The maximum recommended dosage of donepezil hydrochloride tablets in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease is 23 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. A dose of 23 mg per day should not be administered until patients have been on a daily dose of 10 mg for at least 3 months. 2.3 Administration Information Donepezil hydrochloride tablets should be taken in the evening, just prior to retiring. Donepezil hydrochloride tablets can be taken with or without food. The donepezil hydrochloride 23 mg tablet should not be split, crushed, or chewed.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia ( 5.1 ) Cholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes manifesting as bradycardia or heart block ( 5.2 ) Donepezil hydrochloride can cause vomiting. Patients should be observed closely at initiation of treatment and after dose increases ( 5.3 ) Patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of active or occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, especially those at increased risk for developing ulcers ( 5.4 ) The use of donepezil hydrochloride in a dose of 23 mg once daily is associated with weight loss ( 5.5 ) Cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstructions ( 5.6 ) Cholinomimetics are believed to have some potential to cause generalized convulsions ( 5.7 ) Cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed with care to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Anesthesia Donepezil hydrochloride, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, is likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anesthesia. 5.2 Cardiovascular Conditions Because of their pharmacological action, cholinesterase inhibitors may have vagotonic effects on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. This effect may manifest as bradycardia or heart block in patients both with and without known underlying cardiac conduction abnormalities. Syncopal episodes have been reported in association with the use of donepezil hydrochloride. 5.3 Nausea and Vomiting Donepezil hydrochloride, as a predictable consequence of its pharmacological properties, has been shown to produce diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These effects, when they occur, appear more frequently with the 10 mg/day dose than with the 5 mg/day dose, and more frequently with the 23 mg dose than with the 10 mg dose. Specifically, in a controlled trial that compared a dose of 23 mg/day to 10 mg/day in patients who had been treated with donepezil 10 mg/day for at least three months, the incidence of nausea in the 23 mg group was markedly greater than in the patients who continued on 10 mg/day (11.8% vs. 3.4%, respectively), and the incidence of vomiting in the 23 mg group was markedly greater than in the 10 mg group (9.2% vs. 2.5%, respectively). The percent of patients who discontinued treatment due to vomiting in the 23 mg group was markedly higher than in the 10 mg group (2.9% vs. 0.4%, respectively). Although in most cases, these effects have been transient, sometimes lasting one to three weeks, and have resolved during continued use of donepezil hydrochloride, patients should be observed closely at the initiation of treatment and after dose increases. 5.4 Peptic Ulcer Disease and GI Bleeding Through their primary action, cholinesterase inhibitors may be expected to increase gastric acid secretion due to increased cholinergic activity. Therefore, patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding, especially those at increased risk for developing ulcers, e.g., those with a history of ulcer disease or those receiving concurrent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Clinical studies of donepezil hydrochloride in a dose of 5 mg/day to 10 mg/day have shown no increase, relative to placebo, in the incidence of either peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Results of a controlled clinical study with 23 mg/day showed an increase, relative to 10 mg/day, in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease (0.4% vs. 0.2%) and gastrointestinal bleeding from any site (1.1% vs. 0.6%). 5.5 Weight Loss Weight loss was reported as an adverse reaction in 4.7% of patients assigned to donepezil hydrochloride in a dose of 23 mg/day compared to 2.5% of patients assigned to 10 mg/day. Compared to their baseline weights, 8.4% of patients taking 23 mg/day were found to have a weight decrease of ≥ 7% by the end of the study, while 4.9% of patients taking 10 mg/day were found to have weight loss of ≥ 7% at the end of the study. 5.6 Genitourinary Conditions Although not observed in clinical trials of donepezil hydrochloride, cholinomimetics may cause bladder outflow obstruction. 5.7 Neurological Conditions: Seizures Cholinomimetics are believed to have some potential to cause generalized convulsions. However, seizure activity also may be a manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. 5.8 Pulmonary Conditions Because of their cholinomimetic actions, cholinesterase inhibitors should be prescribed with care to patients with a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.

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.

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 ) ]. Pulmonary Conditions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) ]. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Donepezil hydrochloride has been administered to over 1,700 individuals during clinical trials worldwide. Approximately 1200 of these patients have been treated for at least 3 months and more than 1,000 patients have been treated for at least 6 months. Controlled and uncontrolled trials in the United States included approximately 900 patients. In regards to the highest dose of 10 mg/day, this population includes 650 patients treated for 3 months, 475 patients treated for 6 months, and 116 patients treated for over 1 year. The range of patient exposure is from 1 to 1,214 days. Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation: The rates of discontinuation from controlled clinical trials of donepezil hydrochloride due to adverse reactions for the donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg/day treatment groups were comparable to those of placebo treatment groups at approximately 5%. The rate of discontinuation of patients who received 7-day escalations from 5 mg/day to 10 mg/day was higher at 13%. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation, defined as those occurring in at least 2% of patients and at twice or more the incidence seen in placebo patients, are shown in Table 1. Table 1 . Most Common Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease Adverse Reaction Placebo ( n = 355 ) % 5 mg / day Donepezil Hydrochloride ( n = 350 ) % 10 mg / day Donepezil Hydrochloride ( n = 315 ) % Nausea 1 1 3 Diarrhea 0 <1 3 Vomiting <1 <1 2 Most Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in patients receiving 10 mg/day and twice the placebo rate, are largely predicted by donepezil hydrochloride's cholinomimetic effects. These include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramp, fatigue, and anorexia. These adverse reactions were often transient, resolving during continued donepezil hydrochloride treatment without the need for dose modification. There is evidence to suggest that the frequency of these common adverse reactions may be affected by the rate of titration. An open-label study was conducted with 269 patients who received placebo in the 15- and 30-week studies. These patients were titrated to a dose of10 mg/day over a 6-week period. The rates of common adverse reactions were lower than those seen in patients titrated to 10 mg/day over one week in the controlled clinical trials and were comparable to those seen in patients on 5 mg/day. See Table 2 for a comparison of the most common adverse reactions following one and six week titration regimens. Table 2 . Comparison of Rates of Adverse Reactions in Mild to Moderate Patients Titrated to 10 mg / day over 1 and 6 Weeks No titration One week titration Six week titration Adverse Reaction Placebo ( n = 315 ) % 5 mg / day ( n = 311 ) % 10 mg / day ( n = 315 ) % 10 mg / day ( n = 269 ) % Nausea 6 5 19 6 Diarrhea 5 8 15 9 Insomnia 6 6 14 6 Fatigue 3 4 8 3 Vomiting 3 3 8 5 Muscle cramps 2 6 8 3 Anorexia 2 3 7 3 Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of patients in pooled placebo-controlled trials who received either donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg or 10 mg and for which the rate of occurrence was greater for patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride than with placebo. In general, adverse reactions occurred more frequently in female patients and with advancing age. Table 3 . Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo - Controlled Clinical Trials in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease Adverse Reaction Placebo ( n = 355 ) % Donepezil Hydrochloride ( n = 747 ) % Percent of Patients with any Adverse Reaction 72 74 Nausea 6 11 Diarrhea 5 10 Headache 9 10 Insomnia 6 9 Pain, various locations 8 9 Dizziness 6 8 Accident 6 7 Muscle Cramps 2 6 Fatigue 3 5 Vomiting 3 5 Anorexia 2 4 Ecchymosis 3 4 Abnormal Dreams 0 3 Depression <1 3 Weight Loss 1 3 Arthritis 1 2 Frequent Urination 1 2 Somnolence <1 2 Syncope 1 2 Severe Alzheimer's Disease (Donepezil Hydrochloride 5mg/day and 10 mg/day) Donepezil hydrochloride has been administered to over 600 patients with severe Alzheimer's disease during clinical trials of at least 6 months duration, including three double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, two of which had an open label extension. Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation: The rates of discontinuation from controlled clinical trials of donepezil hydrochloride due to adverse reactions for the donepezil hydrochloride patients were approximately 12% compared to 7% for placebo patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation, defined as those occurring in at least 2% of donepezil hydrochloride patients and at twice or more the incidence seen in placebo, were anorexia (2% vs. 1% placebo), nausea (2% vs. <1% placebo), diarrhea (2% vs. 0% placebo), and urinary tract infection (2% vs. 1% placebo). Most Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in patients receiving donepezil hydrochloride and at twice or more the placebo rate, are largely predicted by donepezil hydrochloride's cholinomimetic effects. These include diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, nausea, and ecchymosis. These adverse reactions were often transient, resolving during continued donepezil hydrochloride treatment without the need for dose modification. Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of patients in pooled placebo-controlled trials who received donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg or 10 mg and for which the rate of occurrence was greater for patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride than with placebo. Table 4 . Adverse Reactions in Pooled Controlled Clinical Trials in Severe Alzheimer’s Disease Body System / Adverse Reaction Placebo ( n = 392 ) % Donepezil Hydrochloride ( n = 501 ) % Percent of Patients with any Adverse Reaction 73 81 Accident 12 13 Infection 9 11 Diarrhea 4 10 Anorexia 4 8 Vomiting 4 8 Nausea 2 6 Insomnia 4 5 Ecchymosis 2 5 Headache 3 4 Hypertension 2 3 Pain 2 3 Back Pain 2 3 Eczema 2 3 Hallucinations 1 3 Hostility 2 3 Increase in Creatine Phosphokinase 1 3 Nervousness 2 3 Fever 1 2 Chest Pain <1 2 Confusion 1 2 Dehydration 1 2 Depression 1 2 Dizziness 1 2 Emotional Lability 1 2 Hemorrhage 1 2 Hyperlipemia <1 2 Personality Disorder 1 2 Somnolence 1 2 Syncope 1 2 Urinary Incontinence 1 2 Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease Tablets (Donepezil Hydochloride 23 mg/day) Donepezil hydrochloride 23 mg/day has been administered to over 1300 individuals globally in clinical trials. Approximately 1050 of these patients have been treated for at least three months and more than 950 patients have been treated for at least six months. The range of patient exposure was from 1 to over 500 days. Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation: The rate of discontinuation from a controlled clinical trial of donepezil hydrochloride 23 mg/day due to adverse reactions was higher (19%) than for the 10 mg/day treatment group (8%). The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation, defined as those occurring in at least 1% of patients and greater than those occurring with 10 mg/day are shown in Table 5. Table 5. Most Common Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation in Patients with Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease Adverse Reaction 23 mg/day Donepezil Hydrochloride (n=963) % 10 mg/day Donepezil Hydrochloride (n=471) % Vomiting 3 0 Diarrhea 2 0 Nausea 2 0 Dizziness 1 0 The majority of discontinuations due to adverse reactions in the 23 mg group occurred during the first month of treatment. Most Common Adverse Reactions with Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets 23 mg/day: The most common adverse reactions, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5%, include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and anorexia. Table 6 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of patients who received 23 mg/day of donepezil hydrochloride and at a higher frequency than those receiving 10 mg/day of donepezil hydrochloride in a controlled clinical trial that compared the two doses. In this study, there were no important differences in the type of adverse reactions in patients taking donepezil hydrochloride with or without memantine. $notablefooter $nofootnote Table 6. Adverse Reactions in a Controlled Clinical Trial in Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease Adverse Reaction 23 mg/day Donepezil Hydrochloride (n=963) % 10 mg/day Donepezil Hydrochloride (n=471) % Percent of Patients with any Adverse Reaction 74 64 Nausea 12 3 Vomiting 9 3 Diarrhea 8 5 Anorexia 5 2 Dizziness 5 3 Weight Loss 5 3 Headache 4 3 Insomnia 3 2 Urinary Incontinence 3 1 Asthenia 2 1 Contusion 2 0 Fatigue 2 1 Somnolence 2 1 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of donepezil hydrochloride. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Abdominal pain, agitation, aggression, cholecystitis, confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, heart block (all types), hemolytic anemia, hepatitis, hyponatremia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, pancreatitis, rash, rhabdomyolysis, QTc prolongation, and torsade de pointes.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risks associated with the use of donepezil hydrochloride in pregnant women. In animal studies, developmental toxicity was not observed when donepezil was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis, but administration to rats during the latter part of pregnancy and throughout lactation resulted in increased stillbirths and decreased offspring survival at clinically relevant doses [ see Data ]. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. Data Animal Data: Oral administration of donepezil to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not produce any teratogenic effects at doses up to 16 mg/kg/day (approximately 6 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 23 mg/day on a mg/m 2 basis) and 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 7 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis), respectively. Oral administration of donepezil (1, 3, 10 mg/kg/day) to rats during late gestation and throughout lactation to weaning produced an increase in stillbirths and reduced offspring survival through postpartum day 4 at the highest dose. The no-effect dose of 3 mg/kg/day is approximately equal to the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis.