The Main Groups of Drugs That May Affect Memory and Dementia Risk Over Time
A viral health post may tell you to “stop taking these medications if you want to save your memory,” but that message is far too simple.
Some medications can cause confusion, drowsiness, or memory problems, particularly in older adults. Certain medicines have also been associated in observational research with an increased risk of dementia when used for long periods. However, an association does not automatically mean that the medication causes dementia.
Many of these medicines are prescribed because they provide important benefits. Stopping them suddenly can sometimes be more dangerous than continuing them.
The important question is not simply whether a medication appears on a list. It is which medication, what dose, how long it has been used, why it was prescribed, and what other medicines the person takes.
Here are several major medication groups that deserve attention.
1. Anticholinergic Medications
Anticholinergic medicines are among the groups most frequently discussed when researchers study medications and cognitive health.
These medicines reduce the effects of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine. They are used for many different conditions, including allergies, bladder problems, gastrointestinal problems, motion sickness, and some other medical conditions.
Some commonly used medications have anticholinergic properties even though people may not realize it.
The concern becomes greater when an older person takes several medications with anticholinergic effects at the same time.
Possible short-term effects can include:
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Constipation
Drowsiness
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion
Memory problems
Older adults can be particularly sensitive to these effects.
2. Some Sleep Medications
Sleeping pills and other sedating medications can affect alertness, concentration, and memory.
Some medications used for insomnia belong to drug groups that can cause next-day drowsiness or impaired coordination.
This is especially important in older adults because excessive sedation can also increase the risk of falls.
Using a sleep medication occasionally under medical guidance is not the same thing as taking it every night for years.
If someone has been using a sleep medication regularly, they should not suddenly stop certain medications without professional guidance. Some can cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound insomnia when stopped abruptly.
3. Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are prescription medications commonly used for anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and certain other conditions.
Examples include medications such as diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam.
They can cause sedation, slowed reaction time, impaired coordination, and problems with short-term memory.
Long-term use can be particularly complicated in older adults.
However, it is important not to interpret this as meaning that anyone taking a benzodiazepine will develop dementia.
Research examining long-term benzodiazepine exposure and dementia has produced mixed results, and other factors can influence both medication use and cognitive health.
If someone has been taking a benzodiazepine regularly, suddenly stopping it can be dangerous. Withdrawal can be serious, so any reduction should be planned with a healthcare professional.
4. Certain Medications for Overactive Bladder
Some medications used to treat urinary urgency and overactive bladder have anticholinergic effects.
These medications can be helpful for people experiencing troublesome bladder symptoms, but they may also cause dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and cognitive side effects in susceptible individuals.
Older adults taking several medications may be particularly vulnerable to the cumulative effects of multiple drugs with anticholinergic properties.
If memory problems appear after starting a new bladder medication, it is worth discussing the timing with a doctor or pharmacist.
There may sometimes be alternative treatments depending on the individual’s condition.
5. Some Older Antidepressants
Certain older antidepressants have significant anticholinergic effects.
Tricyclic antidepressants are one example.
These medications can be effective for certain conditions, including depression and some types of chronic pain, but they may produce side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties.
That doesn’t mean antidepressants generally cause dementia.
Different antidepressants have very different properties, and some are much less anticholinergic than others.
Anyone considering changing an antidepressant should discuss it with the prescribing clinician rather than stopping treatment independently.
6. Some Medications Used for Allergies
Certain older antihistamines can have strong anticholinergic effects.
They are commonly found in some products used for allergies, colds, and sleep.
One reason this can be confusing is that a medication may be available without a prescription, making it easy to assume that it cannot cause significant side effects.
Older adults should be particularly cautious about regularly using sedating antihistamines.
Newer allergy medications may have different properties, so the safest choice depends on the person’s symptoms, age, medical history, and other medications.
