Confusion. Disorientation. Memory loss. While these are certainly hallmark warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, they can also arise from taking particular medications. Rather than automatically assuming a diagnosis of dementia, examine the following list of prescriptions to identify potential senior medication side effects.
Pain Medications
Opioids specifically are reported to impact short-term memory. The good news is that the issue is typically resolved once pain medications are no longer being taken.
Acetylcholine Blockers
They are prescribed for insomnia, IBS, urinary incontinence, depression, heart issues, vertigo, Parkinson’s, and other conditions. Treatments with anticholinergic effects that block acetylcholine’s effects in the brain can cause memory disturbance, agitation, confusion, and delirium, among other significant health conditions. An example is a tolterodine.
Benzodiazepines
These prescription medications help treat both anxiety and insomnia, with sedative qualities which can also cause cognitive problems. Long-term use of benzodiazepines may also be a risk factor for developing dementia. Examples include lorazepam (Ativan) and temazepam (Restoril).
Corticosteroids
Mood and cognitive changes, delirium, and psychotic symptoms are just a few complications connected to corticosteroid use. Prednisone is one typical example.
Chemo Medications
Known as “chemo brain,” chemotherapy drugs impact some people in memory, focus and attention, and executive functioning. These changes might be long-lasting, even after stopping chemo treatment.
Statins
Prescribed to reduce cholesterol, statins have a suspected connection to memory and mental slowing and decline. While there are conflicting results from various studies, it’s essential to know about the possibility of cognitive complications.
It’s also helpful to keep in mind that many medications affect older adults differently than younger ones. This may be due to the reduced efficiency in an older person’s kidneys and liver, in addition to interactions with other medications being taken and a decreased cognitive reserve in the brain. Alcohol use can further exacerbate complications.
Be sure to speak with the physician before beginning, stopping, or changing any medication, and whether any cognitive complications you’re observing in a loved one might result from senior medication side effects.
Modern Health Home Care is readily available to assist older adults in many ways – medication reminders to make sure meds are taken just as prescribed and watching for any changes in condition and reporting them immediately, just to name a few. Contact us online or at 215.995.2012 for help and support with home care services in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.
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