Precipitation of acute angle closure glaucoma following withdrawal of donepezil hydrochloride

Abstract

Drug induced bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is well known entity reported but accidental withdrawal of a drug precipitating an attack of AACG is rare. Abrupt termination of donepezil, an FDA approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, is often attributed to occurrence of side effects. In this case, incidence of bilateral AACG following discontinuation of donepezil hydrochloride in a 76-year-old female patient with Alzheimer’s disease is presented.