Transdermal Donepezil Now Available in US

A once-weekly delivery system for donepezil (Adlarity; Corium, Boston, MA) is now available for prescription in the US. Transdermal donepezil was approved for for treating patients with mild, moderate, or severe dementia due to Alzheimer disease in March 2022.  

This formulation of donepezil continuously delivers consistent doses through the skin, and has a favorable overall gastrointestinal side effect profile. Patients may be switched by their prescriber from a daily 5 or 10 mg dose of oral donepezil to once-weekly transdermal donepezil, which is available in 5 or 10 mg formulations. 

“I can see this weekly patch helping patients and caregivers by providing the ease of a once-weekly treatment with continuous donepezil delivery through the skin,” said Lori La Bey, founder of the patient advocacy organization Alzheimer’s Speaks.