A headline like “8 Drugs That Cause Serious Dementia” is misleading. No commonly prescribed medication has been proven to directly “cause” dementia in most people. However, some medications can cause confusion, memory problems, or drowsiness, especially in older adults, and some have been associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline in certain studies.
Examples include:
- Anticholinergic medications
- Some older antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine), bladder medications, and certain antidepressants can affect memory and thinking, particularly with long-term use.
- Benzodiazepines
- Medications like diazepam or lorazepam can cause drowsiness and short-term memory problems. Long-term use has been linked to cognitive concerns in some studies, but whether they cause dementia remains uncertain.
- Some sleep medications
- Certain prescription sleeping pills can impair alertness and memory while they are active.
- Opioid pain medications
- Can cause confusion or sedation, especially in older adults or at higher doses.
- Some antiseizure medications
- Depending on the medication and dose, some people experience slowed thinking or memory issues.
- Certain antidepressants
- Older antidepressants with strong anticholinergic effects are more likely to affect cognition than many newer antidepressants.
- Some bladder medications
- Certain overactive bladder medicines have anticholinergic properties that may contribute to cognitive side effects.
- Muscle relaxants
- Can cause drowsiness, confusion, and increase fall risk, especially in older adults.
