Each year there are numerous cases caused by prescription drugs and they are the reason for more than 1.5 million cases of people who have suffered from the side effects of drugs and have been hospitalized, and also they are responsible for over 100,000 deaths. The top cause for numerous deaths in the United States is adverse drug reactions. Each prescription medication carries a certain risk, but memory loss is the most frequent side effect.
Here are the three kinds of medications that can be the cause for memory loss
Every prescription medication belongs to one of the three following categories and they have the ability to cause memory loss and other cognitive issues:
1. The ‘Anti’ Medications
Each medication that has ‘anti’ in its name has an impact on the acetylcholine level such as antihypertensive, antibiotics, antispasmodics, antipsychotics, antihistamines and antidepressants.
Acetylcholine is very important for the memory because it is the main neurotransmitter connected with the process of learning and the memory. Decreased level of acetylcholine can cause these medical conditions: dementia, memory loss, hallucinations, blurred vision, mental confusion and delirium.
2. Sleeping pills
The sleeping pills are known for their ability to cause memory loss.
The commonly used medication – Ambien is also known as ‘amnesia drug’ because it can lead to the following side effects: hallucinations, sleep driving, night terrors, and sleep walking.
The sleeping pills put your mind in a state which is like being in a coma or being drunk. So these pills do not induce the restorative sleep that is important for the brain to keep its health and repair itself.
So there are many other alternative ways to induce sleep than with sleeping pills.
3. Statin drugs
Statin drugs are the worst type of drugs for the brain and they are also known as the cholesterol-lowering drugs. They can cause memory loss, which has to be put on the list of side effects.
Our brain is made of one-quarter of cholesterol and it is important for the basic functions of the brain like fast thinking, memory and learning. So this type of drugs – like cholesterol-lowering drugs can have a serious impact on the health of the brain.
So you should be informed about the way that statin drugs can deteriorate your since health and talk to your doctor to stop using them.
20 medications that can cause memory loss
These drugs listed below cause serious side effect – memory loss:
- Painkillers – codeine, heroin, morphine
- Sleeping pills – Sonata, Lunesta, Ambien,
- Naproxen
- Steroids
- Antibiotics (quinolones)
- Interferons
- Parkinson’s disease– glycopyrrolate atropine, scopolamine,
- Epilepsy – Dilantin or phenytoin
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Lithium
- Barbiturates – Nembutal, Amytal, Phenobarbital, Seconal
- Benzodiazepines – Ativan, Xanax, Dalmane, Valium, ,
- Quinidine
- Antihistamines
- Methyldopa
- Antipsychotics – Haldol, Mellaril,
- Chemotherapy drugs
- High blood pressure drugs
- Beta blockers (particularly those for glaucoma)
- Insulin
The former vice chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine -Richard C. Mohs created the list above.
What can you do?
So when you have to take any of these medications, talk to your doctor whether they have any impact on your memory. Look for better solution, like other medications or you can also change the lifestyle.
If you cannot avoid taking them, there is also another way that you can help your brain like taking brain supplements, incorporate a brain-healthy diet and do some physical exercise.
So make sure that your brain is in healthy condition in order to maintain its health.