Some medications have been associated with cognitive problems, confusion, or increased risk of dementia-like symptoms, especially in older adults or when used at high doses or for long periods. However, it is important to know that most medicines do not directly “cause dementia”, and some may be necessary and beneficial. Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a healthcare professional.
Here are 8 medication groups that can affect memory or thinking in some people:
- Anticholinergic medications
- These block acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning.
- Examples include some older allergy medicines, bladder medications, and certain drugs for nausea or sleep.
- Benzodiazepines
- Used for anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia.
- Long-term use in older adults has been linked in some studies to increased risk of cognitive impairment.
- Some sleep medications
- Certain prescription sleep aids can cause next-day confusion, memory problems, or increased fall risk, especially in older adults.
- Opioid pain medications
- Can cause sedation, confusion, and impaired alertness, particularly at higher doses.
- Some antipsychotic medications
- May cause sedation and cognitive slowing; they are used carefully in older adults because of important risks.
- Certain anti-seizure medications
- Some can affect attention, memory, or processing speed.
- Some medications used for overactive bladder
- Certain bladder-control drugs have anticholinergic effects that may affect cognition.
- Long-term use of some acid-reducing medicines
- Some studies have explored links between certain acid-suppressing drugs and cognitive changes, though evidence is not definitive.
What you can do
- Review your medication list with a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take several medicines.
- Ask: “Could any of my medications affect memory or alertness?”
- Report new confusion, unusual sleepiness, or sudden changes in thinking.
- Don’t abruptly stop medications that affect the brain or nervous system.
If you share the names of the medicines you or a family member take, I can help identify which ones are known to have cognitive side effects and what questions to ask a healthcare professional.
