If you are worried about developing dementia or cognitive decline as you age, you can look at your family history or more importantly the medications you are taking. Unfortunately, there are 12 medications that are taken daily that can have a negative impact on the brain and memory.
You need to be mindful of the types of drugs you are prescribed or even taking over the counter. And you need to realize that if you take them for prolonged periods of time, then your memory could suffer. Let’s look at the 12 medications you need to know that can cause memory loss.
12 – Anti-anxiety Drugs Like Xanax
If you have an anxiety disorder, then you likely were prescribed Xanax. Xanax is meant to help calm your nerves as it has sedating effects. However, unfortunately, because Xanax is a benzodiazepine, it can have a negative effect on your memory. If you take it for the long term. There are other medications that have less of an effect on your memory such as SSRIs which include Zoloft and Celexa. And using CTB will help calm anxiety.
11 – Sedatives Like Valium
Valium is not just used for calming but it is used to help you fall asleep if you suffer from insomnia. Valium is also a benzodiazepine which has been said to have a negative impact on your memory. There are other ways to help you sleep instead of relying on sleeping pills such as Valium, and it involves eating foods that have plenty of melatonin as well as meditating. You also should put your screens away 3 hours before going to bed.
10 – Sleeping Medications Such As Ambien
Ambien is a sleeping pill and it is a non-benzodiazepine. The generic name is zolpidem, and in Canada, zopiclone is what is prescribed for sleeping under the brand name Imovane. These sedatives not only have a negative effect on memory but can impair thinking. The only thing to do is to only take the sleeping pill if you absolutely must. Don’t take it each night if you don’t need it.
9 – Statins Such As Lipitor
If you have high cholesterol, then you likely would have been prescribed one of the statins for lowering cholesterol levels. And these types of drugs can also have a negative effect on your cognitive function as well as memory for long-term use. That is due to the fact that the brain contains a quarter of the body’s cholesterol.
8 – Antiseizure Drugs Such As Topamax
If you are taking antiseizure drugs then there is a strong chance you will end up with memory loss. That is because of the fact that the signals are not flowing properly in the central nervous system which can have a negative impact on your memory.
7 – Tricyclic Antidepressants Such As Elavil
If you are taking tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline or Elavil, then it can easily cause memory loss. It blocks serotonin and norepinephrine which are the brain’s messaging chemicals. If those important chemicals are blocked, then it can have a negative impact on cognitive function as well as cause memory loss.
6 – Opioid Drugs Such As Morphine
Narcotic painkillers can have a long-term effect on your memory as it prevents your emotional response to pain. However, the issue is that these chemicals that send messages to your body in regards to pain also play a significant role in your cognitive function. If those messengers are tampered with for too long, you will likely have some loss of memory.
5 – Mirapex For Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome is difficult to live with as it interferes with your sleep. And that is why drugs that cause dopamine, the pleasure chemical to become activated. Therefore, the side effects of this drug can include memory loss, hallucinations, confusion, and increasing unhealthy compulsive behaviors such as overeating.
4 – Requip For Parkinson’s Disease
Requip is another dopamine agonist that has been a treatment used for Parkinson’s Disease to help treat muscle spasms, tremors, poor muscle control, and stiffness. And because it stimulates dopamine receptors, it can cause memory loss, confusion, and hallucinations.
3 – Beta-Blockers
Drugs that end in ‘olol’ are beta-blockers such as timolol, propranolol, and sotalol are meant to treat high blood pressure. Therefore, they block messengers in the brain to help lower blood pressure. However, these important messengers are also not able to communicate which results in memory loss and cognitive function.
2 – Incontinence Drugs Or Anticholinergics
Anticholinergics are meant to help overactive bladder symptoms and their purpose is to stop the action of acetylcholine which is a chemical responsible for bodily functions. This includes the functions of the bladder. But blocking this chemical messenger will also have a negative effect on cognitive function and memory.
1 – Antihistamines
Those allergy drugs such as Benadryl or Vistaril, unfortunately, can have a negative impact on your memory as well. They also stop the action of acetylcholine which is why they are effective for treating nausea, anxiety, as well as insomnia. However, this drug also interferes with the role of acetylcholine sending proper messages that will result in memory loss and cognitive decline.
When it comes to most of these drugs listed, you cannot stop taking them cold turkey. What you need to do is work with your doctor for weaning yourself off of them. And talk to your doctor about alternative treatments that do not have an effect on your memory. They are out there.
