Drug interactions
Donepezil + Glycopyrronium
Severity: Moderate
Donepezil and Glycopyrronium: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Donepezil increases acetylcholine by inhibiting its breakdown, while glycopyrronium blocks muscarinic receptors, so the two drugs oppose each other. This can reduce the benefit of donepezil and blunt the effect of the antimuscarinic.
What this interaction means in plain words
Donepezil and Glycopyrronium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Donepezil belongs to Central Nervous System; Glycopyrronium belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between cholinesterase inhibition and muscarinic receptor blockade.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible; if both are needed, monitor cognitive and functional status and the clinical response to each drug.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Glycopyrronium
- Clozapine + Glycopyrronium Major
- Glycopyrronium + Potassium chloride Major
- Abobotulinumtoxina + Glycopyrronium Moderate
- Aclidinium + Glycopyrronium Moderate
- Amantadine + Glycopyrronium Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Glycopyrronium Moderate
Other interactions of Donepezil
- Donepezil + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Donepezil Major
- Amisulpride + Donepezil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Donepezil with Glycopyrronium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Donepezil and Glycopyrronium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Donepezil increases acetylcholine by inhibiting its breakdown, while glycopyrronium blocks muscarinic receptors, so the two drugs oppose each other. This can reduce the benefit of donepezil and blunt the effect of the antimuscarinic.
How serious is the interaction between Donepezil and Glycopyrronium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible; if both are needed, monitor cognitive and functional status and the clinical response to each drug.
What other medicines interact with Glycopyrronium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Glycopyrronium with, for example, Clozapine, Potassium chloride, Abobotulinumtoxina. The full list is on the Glycopyrronium page.
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