Drug Database
DO

donepezil (E 2022 / TK023 / TK 023)

✓ Approved

Eisai Co., Ltd. · ACHE · Small Molecule

What is donepezil?

donepezil is a small molecule developed by Eisai Co., Ltd.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via transdermal.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesE 2022, TK023, TK 023
CompanyEisai Co., Ltd.
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetACHE
RouteTransdermal
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Eisai Co., Ltd.

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

donepezil acts on 1 molecular target:

ACHEacetylcholinesterase (Cartwright blood group) (N-ACHE, ACEE)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

donepezil is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Nervous system disordersDementia Alzheimer's typePhase I

Related Research Articles

PubMedBMC cardiovascular disorders2026-11-11

Amantadine, donepezil and memantine associated arrhythmia in an elderly patient.

Atmaca Hasan H, Gürbüz Doğaç Çağlar DÇ, Erol Mustafa Kemal MK, Yetkin Ertan E

CASE İNFORMATION: A 78-year-old male patient was referred to the cardiology clinic for mild dyspnea. Initial electrocardiography (ECG) showed sinus bradycardia at a rate of 59 beats/min, a right bundle branch block (RBBB), a first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, and a normal QTc duration. One month later, the patient was readmitted because of worsening dyspnea and an arrhythmia detected by a neurologist. The patient stated that the neurologist had prescribed donepezil (5 mg) and memantine (10 mg) combined, along with amantadine (100 mg) for dementia. His control ECG revealed interpolated ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) in a trigeminy pattern, in addition to the first-degree AV block and RBBB. After consultation with the neurologist, the anti-dementia medications were discontinued. We believe the combination of amantadine, donepezil, and memantine caused the interpolated VPCs, as the arrhythmia disappeared after drug cessation.

PMID 43009756
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PubMedNature communications2026-11-11

Supramolecular janus eutectic engineered from panthenol and bisabolol overcomes transdermal delivery paradoxes.

Wang Hao H, Tao Qingsheng Q, He Xiaofeng X, Hsu Kung Chi KC et al.

Conventional transdermal delivery systems are constrained by inherent trade-offs among penetration efficiency, bioactive potency, and skin biocompatibility. To overcome these limitations, here we show a supramolecular Janus eutectic engineered from D-panthenol and α-(-)-bisabolol (SPB). This carrier-free system effectively integrates autonomous permeation with multimodal therapeutic functions. SPB demonstrates synergistic enhancement of panthenol transdermal delivery while markedly improving the biocompatibility of bisabolol, alongside multiplex anti-irritation and pro-repair efficacy-a combination unattainable by its individual components or physical mixtures. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the supramolecular architecture modulates the active transport pathway and antagonizes the TRPV1 receptor. This work provides a practical strategy for designing biofunctional materials that intrinsically unify delivery, efficacy, and safety.

PMID 43009484
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PubMedCase reports in pulmonology2026-11-11

Management of a Spontaneous Secondary Pneumothorax Complicated by Persistent Air Leak With Autologous Blood Patch Pleurodesis: A Case Report.

Basnet Ashok A, Rajbhandari Bhushan Kumar BK, Rana Ekta Malla EM, K C Rajesh R et al.

Persistent air leak (PAL) in pneumothoraces, especially in underlying structural lung disease, remains a significant challenge leading to prolonged hospitalization and even mortality because of pleural sepsis. Various treatment modalities, such as chemical pleurodesis, autologous blood patch, endobronchial valve, and surgical interventions, have been reported in the literature. We report a case of an 80-year-old male with PAL successfully managed with 100 mL of autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) as the patient was deemed unsuitable for surgery. In our experience, ABPP has proven to be safe, bedside, low-cost effective procedure with minimal complications. ABPP is still underutilized and is used mostly in resource-limited settings. We believe ABPP should be accepted as a treatment option before considering surgery in selected patients.

PMID 43011319
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PubMedFrontiers in aging neuroscience2026-11-11

Gastrodin combined with donepezil alleviates cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease mice by improving mitochondrial function through AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 axis.

Wang Junwen J, Wu Jing J, Liang Fenrong F, Huang Shulei S et al.

This study aims to explore whether gastrodin (Gas) combined with donepezil (Don) has a neuroprotective effect on Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice by regulating the AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling axis. HT22 cells were transfected with SIRT3 siRNA or control siRNA. Cells were then treated with the AMPK inhibitor, Don, Gas, or their combination. Subsequently, HT22 cells were treated with Amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) to induce an in vitro AD model. Cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay. DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to evaluate cell reactive oxygen species (ROS). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was detected by luciferase chemiluminescence method. Cell membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry. For in vivo experiments, WT mice and APP/PS1 mice were treated with Don, Gas or a combination of drugs. Morris water maze test, Y-maze test and novel object recognition test were used to evaluate the cognitive impairment of mice. The pathological changes of hippocampus were detected by HE staining, and the expression of Aβ protein in hippocampus and cortex was detected by IHC. In addition, the protein and mRNA expressions of APP, Tau, and AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling axis were determined by Western blot and RT-QPCR. Gas combined with Don significantly improved cognitive dysfunction, reduced Aβ plaque deposition in the cortex and hippocampus, up-regulated AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 axis, and inhibited the abnormal phosphorylation of Tau and APP in APP/PS1 mice compared with the model group and the Don group (p < 0.05). In vitro cell experiments confirmed that the combination of the two drugs could improve cell viability, inhibit cell apoptosis, restore ATP level, reduce ROS accumulation, stabilize mitochondrial membrane potential, and improve mitochondrial function (p < 0.05). Molecular experiments and complementary experiments showed that Gas combined with Don activated AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling axis (p < 0.05). Silencing SIRT3 or inhibiting AMPK could reverse the protective effect of the combined regimen (p < 0.05). Gas combined with Don can maintain mitochondrial homeostasis through AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 pathway, alleviate AD-relaated pathological damage, and exert neuroprotection.

PMID 43011657
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PubMedCureus2026-11-11

A Pilot Crossover Study of the Tsubu-Tsubu Therapy Patch for Refractory Neuropathic Pain.

Senoo Yusuke Y, Arakawa Kyosuke K, Muto Noriko N, Matsusaki Takashi T et al.

Background and objective Nonpharmacological approaches for neuropathic pain are increasingly used, but noninvasive cutaneous stimulation devices remain insufficiently studied. The Tsubu-Tsubu Therapy Patch is an adhesive medical device containing glass beads and is suggested to provide analgesia through noninvasive stimulation based on the gate control theory. We conducted a prospective pilot clinical trial to explore its potential analgesic effect in patients with intractable neuropathic pain. Methods A crossover trial aimed to enroll 26 patients. Patients were randomized to receive the treatment or control patches during Days 1-8 and Days 15-22, with a washout period on Days 9-14. The primary outcome was the between-treatment difference in daily Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. Secondary outcomes included mean VAS differences, PainVision scores, sleep duration, PainDETECT, Pain Disability Assessment Scale (PDAS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and adverse events. Results Nine patients completed the study. Five had postherpetic neuralgia, and four had post-thoracotomy pain. The estimated treatment effect on daily VAS scores was -8.46 mm (95% CI, -11.83 to -5.09; p < 0.001). No significant effects of treatment period or day within the treatment period were observed. No statistically significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes, including mean VAS difference, sleep duration, pain-related measures (PainVision scores, PainDETECT, and PDAS), and AIS. Adverse events such as erythema, itching, and skin indentation occurred in both groups and were not serious. Conclusions This pilot trial found an estimated reduction in daily VAS scores with the Tsubu-Tsubu Therapy Patch compared with the control patch. Given the very small sample size and methodological limitations, these findings should be considered preliminary. Further adequately powered randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of this intervention.

PMID 43011096
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PubMedFrontiers in physiology2026-11-11

Applications and mechanisms of therapeutic ultrasound in skin repair and regeneration.

He Zeyu Z, Shao Shiwen S, Fang Yi Y, Xu Xuegang X et al.

Ultrasound modulates cellular and tissue processes underlying skin repair and regeneration via thermal and mechanical effects, including cavitation, and can act as an external trigger to facilitate transdermal delivery or activate ultrasound-responsive materials. This review summarizes the acoustic fundamentals and Mechanotransduction pathways of different types of ultrasounds, as well as research advances in wound healing, pathological scar intervention, skin tissue remodeling, skin appendage regeneration, and synergistic applications with ultrasound-responsive materials. Emphasis is placed on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ultrasound regulates inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Currently, apart from studies on focused ultrasound and ultrasound-assisted wound therapy, most supporting evidence is derived from in vitro experiments, animal models, or small-sample clinical studies. Inconsistent acoustic parameters and outcome measures, as well as insufficient long-term safety data, represent major barriers to its clinical translation.

PMID 43011743
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