Are you taking meds that increase dementia risk?

As a fitness trainer, I work with several clients who are seniors. Their goals include building and maintaining strength, mobility, and bone density, but above all, maintaining a healthy brain. Some of them had parents or have friends who’ve developed dementia and other neurological issues, so they take every step to lower their own risk.

Like a majority of seniors, some of my clients have health conditions they treat with medications. Unfortunately, there are prescription and OTC drugs that recent studies link to an increased risk of dementia, worsening symptoms in those with the disease, and mimicking dementia-like symptoms.

I strive to help keep my clients healthy, and have given them this information, and I want to share it with you. The following is a list of medications that may increase dementia risk or symptom onset:

Anticholinergic medications—These drugs are used to treat a wide range of conditions and include some antihistamines, sleep aids, and anti-anxiety and IBS medications. They can interfere with neurotransmitter activity responsible for healthy nerve function and potentially cause confusion, impaired thinking, and drowsiness.

A 2019 study found that out of all anticholinergic drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, Parkinson’s medications, epilepsy drugs, and bladder medications had the highest dementia development risk. The authors concluded that taking several types of anticholinergic drugs is associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Benadryl, a commonly used OTC anticholinergic drug, can cause confusion and extreme tiredness, though its link to dementia risk hasn’t been specifically studied.

Sleep Aids—Drugs like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata slow activity in parts of the brain and can affect both short and long-term memory. These drugs can cause amnesia and potentially dangerous behaviors like driving or cooking while in a sleep state.

Corticosteroids—This class of anti-inflammatory drugs includes cortisone and prednisone, and treats conditions like asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and COPD. Mood disorders, including depression, have been reported. Corticosteroids can also cause steroid dementia—attention and cognitive deficits that can resolve after stopping use.

Benzodiazepines—Anti-anxiety drugs like Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium affect the brain similarly to sleeping aids. Studies have produced contradictory findings regarding benzodiazepines’ links to dementia, and researchers say more are needed. Because of the uncertainty, they advise using these drugs cautiously and under close physician care.

Beta-blockers—Used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, and some heart rhythm disorders, beta-blockers can cause brain fog and fatigue in some users. A small 2020 study found beta-blockers were associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia, but no large-scale studies have found a link.

In conclusion, we’re taught to regard doctors as experts who know what’s best for us, but many lack the time and resources to determine the best approach for our unique needs. If it becomes necessary to use medications, whether prescribed or OTC, it’s vital that we thoroughly research their impact on the brain, additional side effects, and interactions with other drugs and supplements. Two out of three Americans will live with some degree of cognitive decline by the age of 70, and we want to do all we can to avoid joining their ranks.