These Drugs Could Increase Your Risk of Dementia

Multiple studies on older adults have shown a link between certain medications and dementia, which includes symptoms like poor memory, mood swings, trouble with communication, and impaired reasoning. If you are taking any of the following medications, consider talking with your doctor about your risk for dementia.

Anticholinergic drugs

What meds are we talking about?

The anticholinergic drugs that may impact the mind are antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, medications for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and overactive bladder medications:

• Antihistamine medications including allergy drugs like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-tab, Aller-Chlor), and sleep medications with diphenhydramine like Unisom, Advil PM and Tylenol PM
• Tricyclic antidepressants like doxepin (Silenor), nortriptyline (Pamelor) and amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Irritable bowel syndrome medications like hyoscyamine (Levsin) and dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• Overactive bladder medications like Enablex, Ditropan, Detrol, Sanctura, Vesicare and Toviaz

What do we know?

In a study of more than 7,000 adults, high doses of these medications were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Other studies have shown that the use of an anticholinergic medication was associated with brain cell death and poor mental functioning.

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Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux

What meds are we talking about?

• Proton pump inhibitors to treat acid reflux or GERD like omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix)

What do we know?

Studies suggest that men and women with dementia are more likely to be taking proton pump inhibitors (1.5 and 1.4 times, respectively). PPIs may cause sticky proteins called β-amyloid plaques to build up in the brain and strangle brain cells. Long-term use of PPIs could also cause poor absorption of vitamin B12 from your diet, which could also increase your risk for dementia.

Opioid pain medications

What meds are we talking about?

• Opioid medications like morphine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and fentanyl

What do we know?

Studies show that people with heavy, long-term use of opioid medications have a slightly higher risk of getting dementia.

Atypical benzodiazepine drugs for insomnia

What meds are we talking about?

• Insomnia medications in the class of medications known as atypical benzodiazepines like Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon) and Lunesta (eszopiclone)

What do we know?

Insomnia medications, specifically ones that are part of the atypical benzodiazepines class, have been linked to an increased risk for dementia in the elderly.

For the medications on this list, the risk for impaired brain functioning is worse with higher doses over an extended period of time. Most of the related mental effects can be resolved if you stop the medication, but there is a chance that some may not. In any case, if a medication can impact your mind long term, you should know about it.

To those suffering from dementia or caring for a loved one who is, we are with you.

Dr O.

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