Common prescription medications could be increasing your risk of dementia, a doctor has warned. The disorder blights the lives of millions worldwide, slowly robbing them of their memories and independence.
Yet, four in ten cases of the memory robbing disorder could be prevented with simple lifestyle changes, according to research. There are some factors such as smoking and drinking that can increase the risk of developing dementia -- but so can some medication.
"There are five medications that could cause dementia -- including some antidepressants, painkillers and antihistamines," said Dr Zain Hasan, a US-based anesthetist.
The first drug he included in his warning was antihistamine medication used to help ease the symptoms of allergies, as well as anticholinergics, also used to treat allergies. These medications are used to treat hayfever, eczema, hives and conjunctivitis.
"Long-term use has been linked to dementia," Dr Hasan noted.
One 2015 US study tracked the brain health of more than 3,400 participants over 65 years between 1994 and 2012. Researchers found there was a link between increased doses of anticholinergics and those that developed dementia.
Another medication thought to cause dementia is opiates, often used as painkillers after surgery or for cancer patients.
"If you take any opiates like morphine regularly they affect your brain... anything that causes sedation for a long period can probably end up causing dementia," Dr Hasan stated.
A 2024 study found opiate users had a 15 per cent higher risk of developing dementia. Another medication was omeprazole, which is widely used to treat indigestion and heartburn.
"If you take omeprazole regularly it can increase the amount of beta-amyloid in your brain," he explained. "I had no idea it was linked to dementia."
Benzodiazepines
A type of sedative drug called benzodiazepines -- such as Valium and Xanax -- are thought to raise dementia risk if taken over a long period.
"It makes sense... If you take them for a long period especially at night for sleep, they can induce dementia," Dr Hasan remarked.
Several studies have shown this link. In one study involving Alzheimer's disease patients versus non-patients:
- Those who took benzodiazepines for three to six months had a 32% greater risk
- Taking them for more than six months resulted in an 84% greater risk