What prescription drugs are linked to memory loss?

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.
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What are the 9 drugs linked to memory loss?

Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).
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What medications cause memory loss and forgetfulness?

If you're experiencing forgetfulness or confusion, check your medicine cabinet
  • Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines) ...
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Statins) ...
  • Antiseizure drugs. ...
  • Antidepressant drugs (Tricyclic antidepressants) ...
  • Narcotic painkillers. ...
  • Parkinson's drugs (Dopamine agonists) ...
  • Hypertension drugs (Beta-blockers)
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Which 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.
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What prescription drugs are linked to dementia?

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.
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How medication is tied to memory loss



What are the nine drugs that cause Alzheimer's?

An estimated 47 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2015, while in the United States around 5.7 million people have Alzheimer dementia, according to the study. Anticholergenic drugs include, but are not limited to, Artane, Bentyl, Oxytrol, Neosol, Symax and Vesicare.
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Does statins cause memory loss?

Neurological side effects

The FDA warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins. These side effects reverse once you stop taking the medication.
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Which antidepressants increase risk of dementia?

SSRI use is significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia when compared with nonuse.
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What drugs cause confusion in elderly?

In high doses, anticholinergic medications, benzodiazepines, and narcotics are common causes of drug-induced delirium (Table 3). Even at recommended doses, these agents may cause confusion, cognitive impairment, and delirium in the elderly.
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What causes sudden memory loss and forgetfulness?

Not enough oxygen getting to the brain when your heart or breathing is stopped for too long. Severe brain infection or infection around brain. Major surgery or severe illness, including brain surgery. Transient global amnesia (sudden, temporary loss of memory) of unclear cause.
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Why is my memory getting worse?

For example, sometimes changes in memory might be due to a medication side effect or an existing or developing health problem, such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, heart disease, infections in the brain, brain tumor, blood clots, head injury, thyroid disease, dehydration, or vitamin deficiency.
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What are the 3 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.
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What drugs can cause permanent brain damage?

Which Drugs Kill Brain Cells? Different drugs can have neurotoxic and destructive effects on brain cells. Substances that are associated with neurological damage include but are not limited to alcohol, heroin, amphetamines, marijuana, opioids, inhalants, and cocaine.
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Can blood pressure medication affect your memory?

Researchers found that older adults taking antihypertensive medications that cross the blood-brain barrier, such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, had better memory recall over time compared to people taking other types of antihypertensive medicines.
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Does gabapentin make you lose your memory?

Gabapentin may cause other long-term effects, including memory loss, weakened muscles, and respiratory failure.
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Is Zoloft linked to dementia?

According to the University of Regina research, popular SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressant medications, such as Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft, etc., are associated with a twofold increase in the odds of developing some form of cognitive impairment, such as dementia, including Alzheimer's.
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Is there a link between antidepressants and dementia?

Certain antidepressants and bladder medications are linked to increased risk of dementia, according to new University of East Anglia research funded by Alzheimer's Society and published today in the British Medical Journal.
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What is the safest antidepressant for the elderly?

SSRIs considered to have the best safety profile in the elderly are citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline.
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Why do doctors push statins?

Statins are the go-to treatment option for lowering cholesterol levels and risk of cardiovascular complications, like heart attack and stroke. Statins work by slowing down cholesterol production and enabling the liver to remove low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad cholesterol,” from the bloodstream.
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What can you take instead of statins?

7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins
  • Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis. ...
  • Plant stanols and sterols. ...
  • Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins. ...
  • Niacin. ...
  • Policosanol. ...
  • Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) ...
  • Natural products.
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Can Lipitor cause forgetfulness?

Some statin users have reported that they experienced memory loss while taking the medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its safety information for statins to include memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion as possible risks, or side effects of taking statins.
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What medications can cause cognitive problems?

Psychoactive drugs, antidepressants and anticonvulsants can cause dementia and delirium. In addition, non-psychoactive drugs such as histamine H2 receptor antagonists, corticosteroids, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent), and cardiac medications, may cause acute or chronic cognitive impairment.
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What medicines cause confusion?

Medicines That Can Cause Confusion or a Decreased Alertness
  • Antidepressants.
  • Antihistamines.
  • Opioid pain medicines.
  • Sedatives and tranquilizers.
  • Medicines for bladder control problems (anticholinergics).
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What medicines cause brain fog?

The Four Most Commonly Used Types of Medications That Dampen Brain Function
  • Benzodiazepines. 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.
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