EISAI AND PFIZER: ARICEPT(R) (DONEPEZIL HCL) MAINTAINS FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IN THE MAJORITY OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PATIENTS ON THERAPY FOR ONE YEAR London - ARICEPT (donepezil HCl) treatment significantly extends the functional ability of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to new one-year data presented today at the 12th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress. ARICEPT is a clinically proven, once-a-day prescription medication that is indicated for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia. Results of this study confirm that treatment with the medication for up to one year allows patients to maintain their ability to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, eating meals, doing chores and enjoying hobbies, and therefore helps them maintain their independence. During the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers evaluated the time to reach clinically significant decline in function in patients with Alzheimer's disease taking ARICEPT compared to placebo. Patients who met predetermined criteria for clinically significant decline in function were discontinued from the study. These criteria included a decline in the patient's ability to perform one or more basic activities of daily living; a reduction of 20 percent in ability to perform one or more instrumental activities of daily living, such as preparing meals and using household appliances; or a one-point increase in the global Clinical Dementia Rating, a clinically validated measure of disease severity. Of the 431 patients, 214 took 10-mg of ARICEPT once daily, and the other 217 participants took placebo. Assessments of patient function were conducted at baseline and at six-week intervals for 54 weeks. Please refer to the SmPC before prescribing ARICEPT 5mg or ARICEPT 10 mg. Indication: Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia.
