Donepezil and Abiraterone: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Donepezil
Abiraterone
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased donepezil exposure
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of donepezil (a CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 substrate) with abiraterone acetate (a CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitor) may increase exposure of donepezil. Additionally, seizure threshold lowering effects have been associated with donepezil1 and abiraterone acetate. If coadministered, monitor for seizures and other donepezil-associated adverse events.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4- and CYP2D6-mediated metabolism of donepezil by abiraterone acetate
Common questions
Can I take Donepezil and Abiraterone together?
Increased donepezil exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Donepezil and Abiraterone interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Donepezil or Abiraterone need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: NAMZARIC oral capsules, memantine HCl extended-release donepezil HCl oral capsules. Forest Laboratories LLC (per manufacturer), St. Louis, MO, 2014. DailyMed
Keep reading about Donepezil
Keep reading about Abiraterone
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
Still have questions about this combination?
Every question gets a real answer from a licensed pharmacist — free, and usually within a day.
Ask the pharmacist