7 Types of Medications That May Affect Memory and Thinking
Some medicines can cause confusion, drowsiness, or problems with memory and thinking. Older adults may be especially sensitive to these effects.
1. Strong Anticholinergic Medicines
Some medicines for allergies, bladder problems, depression, and other conditions have anticholinergic effects. Long-term or heavy exposure has been associated with cognitive concerns.
2. Benzodiazepines
Medicines such as alprazolam, lorazepam, and clonazepam can cause drowsiness, impaired memory, confusion, and falls. The FDA also warns about dependence and withdrawal risks.
3. Certain Sleep Medicines
Some sedating medicines used for insomnia can cause next-day drowsiness, confusion, and impaired coordination, particularly in older adults.
4. Some Antipsychotic Medicines
These medications can be appropriate for specific conditions, but they carry important risks in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and should be used only when medically appropriate.
5. Certain Antidepressants With Anticholinergic Effects
Some older antidepressants can cause confusion, sedation, and other anticholinergic effects, especially in older adults.
6. Some Antihistamines
Older antihistamines such as diphenhydramine can cause significant anticholinergic effects and confusion in older adults.
7. Medicines That Cause Heavy Sedation
Several different medication classes can cause excessive sleepiness or slowed thinking. The risk can become greater when multiple sedating medicines are combined.
Don’t Stop Your Medicine Suddenly
A medication appearing on a caution list does not mean you should stop taking it. Many of these medicines are useful and appropriate for certain people.
The American Geriatrics Society’s Beers Criteria identifies medications that may be potentially inappropriate for some adults aged 65 and older, but recommends individualized clinical judgment rather than automatically stopping treatment.
If you notice new confusion, memory problems, extreme sleepiness, dizziness, or falls, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all your medicines—including over-the-counter products and supplements.
