what prescription drugs are linked to alzheimers

The study found that people had a higher risk for dementia if they took:

• Antidepressants,
• Antiparkinson drugs,
• Antipsychotics,
• Antimuscarinics (Used to treat an overactive bladder), and
• Antiepileptic drugs.

Full Answer

Are there any medications to slow down Alzheimer?

Three cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly prescribed:

• Donepezil (Aricept) is approved to treat all stages of the disease. It's taken once a day as a pill.
• Galantamine (Razadyne) is approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's. It's taken as a pill once a day or as an extended release capsule twice a day.
• Rivastigmine (Exelon) is approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. It's taken as a pill. ...

What are the 9 prescription drugs that cause dementia?

• atropine.
• belladonna.
• dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• hyoscyamine (Levsin) (This drug is no longer available in the US)
• loperamide (Imodium)
• promethazine (Phenergan)

Can blood pressure medication lower your risk of Alzheimer's?

Treating high blood pressure with medication not only improves older adults' cardiovascular health, but also can reduce their risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to a thorough examination of long-term data from four countries.

Are Statins the key to preventing Alzheimers disease?

Regular use of statins is associated with a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Neurology on Monday. Statins are a class of drugs used to reduce low-density lipoprotein, LDL cholesterol, within the body. The drug works by inhibiting the enzyme involved in the body’s ability to produce LDL cholesterol.

What are the 9 common pills linked to Alzheimer's?

Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines) Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).

What medications increase the risk of Alzheimer's?

The researchers found that anticholinergic drugs in general were associated with a higher risk of dementia. More specifically, however, anticholinergic antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, anti-Parkinson's drugs, bladder drugs, and epilepsy drugs were associated with the highest increase in risk.

What medications can cause memory problems?

A number of prescription and over-the-counter medications can interfere with or cause loss of memory. Possible culprits include: antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and pain medications given after surgery. Alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.

Can medications bring on dementia?

There is evidence that certain medications — both prescription and over-the-counter — are associated with an increased risk of dementia. The latest study to confirm this connection came out in June 2019 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Do blood pressure meds cause Alzheimer's?

That's the intriguing finding from a Johns Hopkins analysis of previously gathered data, which found that people who took commonly prescribed blood pressure medications were half as likely to develop Alzheimer's as those who didn't. Researchers have known about the link between blood pressure and Alzheimer's for years.

What blood pressure medications cause memory loss?

Beta-blockers are believed to cause memory issues by interfering with norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are both key chemical messengers in the brain. These anticholinergics may cause memory loss because they block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger involved with many functions in the body.

What prescription drugs cause brain fog?

The Four Most Commonly Used Types of Medications That Dampen Brain FunctionBenzodiazepines. This class of medication is often prescribed to help people sleep, or to help with anxiety. ... Non-benzodiazepine prescription sedatives. ... Anticholinergics. ... Antipsychotics and mood-stabilizers. ... Opiate pain medications.

What is the best drug to improve memory?

The Bottom Line Prescription smart drugs, such as Adderall and Ritalin, have the strongest and most significant effects on memory and attention. Synthetic nootropic supplements like Noopept and piracetam are widely available, but research on their effectiveness in healthy adults is lacking.

What are the 3 foods that fight memory loss?

What are the foods that fight memory loss? Berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables are 3 of the best foods that fight memory loss. There's a mountain of evidence showing they support and protect brain health.

What drug causes memory loss and fatigue?

Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).

Which antidepressants increase risk of dementia?

SSRI use is significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia when compared with nonuse.

What is drug induced dementia?

What Is Medication-Induced Dementia? Medication-induced dementia is a cognitive impairment of language, memory, and comprehension originating from or complicated by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Which antihistamines are linked to dementia?

Caution should be exercised for long-term use of Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an antihistamine and a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, because of the association of increased risk for dementia.

Role of Current Alzheimer's Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of drugs specifically to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. 1. Cholinesterase inh...

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

One way Alzheimer's disease harms the brain is by decreasing levels of a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) that's important for alertness, memory,...

Memantine For Later Stages

Memantine (Namenda) is approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by regulating the activity of glutamat...

When to Discontinue Alzheimer's Drugs

Because Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, your symptoms and care plan will change over time. If you're taking an Alzheimer's drug, ongoing revi...

Who funded the Alzheimer's disease research?

Funding for this research came, in part, from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and Department of Defense.

How do anticholinergic drugs work?

They work by blocking acetylcholine — a type of neurotransmitter or chemical messenger known to be critical for memory function — from binding to receptors on certain nerve cells. The effect is to inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses, which are involved in a variety of involuntary muscle movements, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, and bodily functions like salivation, digestion and urination.

Is cognitive impairment a precursor to dementia?

Researchers reported that cognitively normal study participants who were taking at least one anticholinergic drug at baseline were 47 percent more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a precursor to dementia such as AD, while being tracked over a period of up to a decade compared to participants who did not take such drugs. ...

Can anticholinergics cause cognitive decline?

Anticholinergic medications are used for many conditions but might also accelerate cognitive decline, especially in older persons with biological or genetic risk factors. A team of scientists, led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, report that a class of drugs used for a broad array of conditions, ...

How many years prior to dementia did you take anticholinergic drugs?

It turns out, people with dementia were 30 percent more likely to have been exposed to anticholinergic drugs used for bladder control, depression, and Parkinson’s disease…even when taken up to 20 years prior to the dementia diagnosis.

What drugs inhibit involuntary bodily functions in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and?

Drugs with anticholinergic activity include: Antidepressants. Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) Desipramine (Norpramin) Imipramine (Tofranil) Antihistamines.

Is there a link between OTC and prescription drugs?

In fact, a recent study has found a strong link between popular over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia.

Can prescription drugs cause debilitating falls?

Yesterday, I reported how certain prescription drugs can increase the risk of suffering a debilitating fall, even among middle-aged adults. But really—that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the known, harmful side effects of drugs.

What are the two types of drugs that are approved for Alzheimer's?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of drugs specifically to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors. Memantine. These drugs: Are approved for specific Alzheimer's stages. These stages — mild, moderate and severe — are based on scores on tests that assess memory, awareness of time and place, ...

How does Alzheimer's disease affect the brain?

One way Alzheimer's disease harms the brain is by decreasing levels of a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) that's important for alertness, memory, thought and judgment. Cholinesterase (ko-lin-ES-tur-ays) inhibitors boost the amount of acetylcholine available to nerve cells by preventing its breakdown in the brain.

Why do acetylcholine pills lose effectiveness?

These medications eventually lose effectiveness because dwindling brain cells produce less acetylcholine as the disease progresses. Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Starting treatment at a low dose and working up to a higher dose can help reduce side effects.

Can MCI cause Alzheimer's?

Many people with MCI — but not all — eventually develop Alzheimer's or another dementia. Clinical trials testing whether Alzheimer's drugs might prevent progression of MCI to Alzheimer's have generally shown no lasting benefit.

Can you tell if Alzheimer's is working?

Because the effects of Alzheimer's drugs are usually modest, it might be difficult to tell if the drugs are working. However, you can't know if your symptoms might be more severe without your medication. Talk to your doctor before stopping an Alzheimer's drug, and let your doctor know if your condition worsens after you stop.

Does Alzheimer's disease change over time?

Because Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, your symptoms and care plan will change over time. If you're taking an Alzheimer's drug, ongoing review of your care plan will include working with your doctor to decide how long you should continue your medication.

Is Galantamine a pill?

Galantamine (Razadyne) is approved to treat mild to moderat e Alzheimer's. It's taken as a pill once a day or as an extended release capsule twice a day. Rivastigmine (Exelon) is approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. It's taken as a pill.

What are some medications that can help with memory loss?

Incontinence Drugs. Generic drug names: darifenacin, oxybutynin, tolterodine, flavoxate.

How much more likely is dementia to develop after taking benzodiazepines?

After the first three years of the study, those who started taking benzodiazepines were 60 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who did not use the drugs. With so many factors that contributing to the formation of the disease, this is not evidence enough to determine causation.

Is it safe to take anticholinergic drugs?

And yes, you’d think some of the most popular allergy and insomnia drugs on the market would be safe, but one study outlines some frightening health risks . The JAMA Neurology study is unique because Indiana University School of Medicine researchers actually used brain imaging to detect how anticholinergic drugs impact the brain. Using MRI and PET scan imaging, researchers showed how people taking anticholinergic drugs experienced lower brain metabolism and higher brain atrophy.

Is diphenhydramine safe for insomnia?

And yes, you’d think some of the most popular allergy and insomnia drugs on the market would be safe, but one study out lines some frightening health risks.

Can you stop taking medication without talking to your doctor?

While you shouldn’t stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor, it’s worth a conversation to see if your mediations include anticholinergic drugs linked to dementia. If they are, inquire about possible alternative options with fewer serious side effects, including natural remedies.

Can hay fever cause dementia?

In 2015, University of Washington scientists also found the chronic use of certain anticholinergic sleep aids and hay fever meds in the increased a person’s risk of dementia. The study only found the association for people taking these drugs for 3 or more years. ( More research is needed to find out if continuous or intermittent use over ...

Can benzodiazepines cause dementia?

While it’s too soon to say for sure, recent research found potential correlations between benzodiazepines (drugs commonly prescribed for insomnia and anxiety) and dementia — but more research is needed. One study followed more than one thousand elderly people for a span of 15 years. Initially, patients were dementia free. After the first three years of the study, those who started taking benzodia zepines were 60 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who did not use the drugs. With so many factors that contributing to the formation of the disease, this is not evidence enough to determine causation. It’s probably safe to say the risk is still there, however, and with so many natural options available, it may not be worth the risk. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, try:

Can Xanax cause Alzheimer's?

There's unsettling news for those who take prescription drugs to treat anxiety or insomnia: Long-term use of benzodiazepines, a popular class of drug that includes diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), could more than double your risk for Alzheimer's disease. That's according to a new study appearing in The BMJ.

Can benzodiazepines cause dementia?

Several small research efforts had already hinted at a possible benzodiazepine-dementia link. This new, larger study bolsters those earlier findings. Among older adults who had taken benzodiazepines (BZDs) for three months or longer at some point in the past, risk for Alzheimer's disease—the most common form of age-related dementia—increased by 51% (compared to people who had never been prescribed BZDs).

Does benzodiazepines affect memory?

Greater Alzheimer's risk was also associated with long-acting (as opposed to short-acting) forms of those drugs. "The deleterious effects of benzodiazepines on memory are well documented," says study co-author Sophie Billioti de Gage, who researches drug-disease connections at France's University of Bordeaux.

Which drugs do not increase the risk of dementia?

Antiepileptic drugs. The study also found that the below-listed drugs did not increase the risk of developing dementia: Antihistamines (Used to treat allergy symptoms), Gastrointestinal antispasmodics (Used to prevent spasms of the stomach, bladder and intestines), Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Used to relax and reduce tension in muscles, ...

What is the drug that blocks the action of a neurotransmitter called?

The drugs in question are called anticholinergic medications. They block the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for memory, attention, and learning. Because of this connection to memory and the brain, the side effects of some anticholinergic drugs can include dementia-like symptoms, such as memory loss and confusion.

What type of dementia is the Korean study?

The English study looked at all types of dementia, but the Korean study only looked at a specific type of dementia called Alzheimer’s.

Does Benadryl cause dementia?

You may have heard the media coverage that common medications may increase the risk for dementia. These medications include a variety of drugs, including antihistamines (like Benadryl), some antidepressants, and drugs that help people with Parkinson’s.1 What do these drugs all have in common, what do you need to know about them, ...

Does antihistamine cause dementia?

This study only looked at whether anticholinergics increased the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is a specific type of dementia.5 The study found that taking antihistamines and antimuscarinics increased risk for developing this specific type of dementia.

Do anticholinergic drugs increase the risk of dementia?

Even with those differences in mind, both studies show that the people most at risk for developing some type of dementia were those who were prescribed higher doses of certain anticholinergic drugs for many years. The studies followed participants for 10 years, and previous research following people for a shorter time did not find an increased risk of dementia.6 These two studies show that overall, people who use more of some types of anticholinergic drugs for many years are more likely to develop dementia.

What are some medications that can help with memory loss?

Incontinence Drugs. Generic drug names: darifenacin, oxybutynin, tolterodine, flavoxate.

How much more likely is dementia to develop after taking benzodiazepines?

After the first three years of the study, those who started taking benzodiazepines were 60 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who did not use the drugs. With so many factors that contributing to the formation of the disease, this is not evidence enough to determine causation.

Is diphenhydramine a drug?

This drug class includes popular medications used for allergies, seasickness and sleep, including diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate and others.

Is diphenhydramine safe for insomnia?

This drug class includes popular medications used for allergies, seasickness and sleep, including diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate and others. And yes, you’d think some of the most popular allergy and insomnia drugs on the market would be safe, but one study outlines some frightening health risks. The JAMA Neurology study is unique ...

Can you stop taking medication without talking to your doctor?

While you shouldn’t stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor, it’s worth a conversation to see if your mediations include anticholinergic drugs linked to dementia. If they are, inquire about possible alternative options with fewer serious side effects, including natural remedies.

Can hay fever cause dementia?

In 2015, University of Washington scientists also found the chronic use of certain anticholinergic sleep aids and hay fever meds in the increased a person’s risk of dementia. The study only found the association for people taking these drugs for 3 or more years. ( More research is needed to find out if continuous or intermittent use over ...

Can benzodiazepines cause dementia?

While it’s too soon to say for sure, recent research found potential correlations between benzodiazepines (drugs commonly prescribed for insomnia and anxiety) and dementia — but more research is needed. One study followed more than one thousand elderly people for a span of 15 years. Initially, patients were dementia free. After the first three years of the study, those who started taking benzodia zepines were 60 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who did not use the drugs. With so many factors that contributing to the formation of the disease, this is not evidence enough to determine causation. It’s probably safe to say the risk is still there, however, and with so many natural options available, it may not be worth the risk. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, try:

What are some examples of medications that can impair memory?

Examples: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor). How they can cause memory loss: Drugs that lower blood levels of cholesterol may impair memory and other mental processes by depleting brain levels of cholesterol as well.

How do antihistamines affect memory?

Antihistamines. How they can cause memory loss: Benzodiazepines dampen activity in key parts of the brain, including those involved in the transfer of events from short-term to long-term memory . Indeed, benzodiazepines are used in anesthesia for this very reason.

Why are benzodiazepines prescribed?

Why they are prescribed: Benzodiazepines are used to treat a variety of anxiety disorders, agitation, delirium and muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. Because benzodiazepines have a sedative effect, they are sometimes used to treat insomnia and the anxiety that can accompany depression.

Why are beta blockers prescribed?

Why they are prescribed: Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure and typically are prescribed for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. They're also used to treat chest pain (angina), migraines, tremors and, in eyedrop form, certain types of glaucoma.

How do beta blockers affect memory?

How they can cause memory loss: Beta-blockers are thought to cause memory problems by interfering with ("blocking") the action of key chemical messengers in the brain , including norepinephrine and epinephrine.

What are the things that impair memory?

Most people are familiar with at least some of the things that can impair memory, including alcohol and drug abuse, heavy cigarette smoking, head injuries, stroke, sleep deprivation, severe stress, vitamin B12 deficiency, and illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and depression.

Which antihistamines are better tolerated by older patients?

Alternatives: Newer-generation antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are better tolerated by older patients and do not present the same risks to memory and cognition.