What happens when donepezil is suddenly withdrawn? An open label trial in dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease with dementia

Abstract

Our results suggest that treatment with donepezil improves cognition and hallucinations without increasing parkinsonian symptoms, and its sudden withdrawal is usually detrimental, producing acute cognitive and behavioural decline. Although recommencement on donepezil appears to reverse this deterioration we do not advise its abrupt discontinuation in this population.