Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
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We describe a 62-year-old female diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, who had been treated with donepezil for approximately 1 year. When she developed a low-grade fever and digestive complaints, her family physician interpreted these symptoms as side effects of the drug and ordered donepezil to be discontinued. ⋯ When donepezil was re-prescribed, the delirium resolved and the patient's mental state stabilized. The authors urge great caution in discontinuing treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil.