New study shows common medications could cause Alzheimer’s

If you’re taking over-the-counter sleeping pills or hayfever tablets, a new study has found that they could increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Nytol, Benadryl and Piriton are among the drugs that have set off alarm bells for reseachers.

The blocking effects in these medications can have serious effects on our nervous system if taken in high doses over several years, according to a US study.

Antidepressants also pose a risk (doxepin), as well as oxybutynin for bladder control, both of which are typically taken by those over 65.

These anticholinergic drugs block a nervous system chemical transmitter called acetylcholine – a component that those with Alzheimer’s lack. The side effects of these medications can be drowsiness, blurred vision and memory loss.

According to director of the geriatric pharmacy programme at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Professor Shelly Gray, “Older adults should be aware that many medications – including some available without a prescription, such as over-the-counter sleep aids – have strong anticholinergic effects. And they should tell their healthcare providers”.

So should you stop taking your pills? Not yet. Consult with your healthcare provider and have a review of the medications you are taking, and try to take fewer anticholinergic drugs.

The study tracked the health of nearly 3,500 men and women, 65 and over, for over 7 years while they took anticholinergic drugs. Sadly, 637 of the participants developed Alzheimer’s and 160 were affected by dementia and other related diseases. Results showed that the high the anticholinergic drug dosage, the higher the risk of dementia – it was 54 per cent compared with those who did not take the medication.

It is shocking to find out that people taking at least 10mg per day of doxepin, 4mg per day of diphenhydramine (Nytol, Benadryl) or 5mg per day of oxybutynin (Ditropan) for more than three years were at an increased risk of developing dementia.

And this isn’t the first study to find the link between these common meds, The Guardian reports that Dr Simon Ridley, at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This large study adds to some existing evidence linking anticholinergic drugs to a small increased risk of dementia”.

Tell us tonight, what will you do now in light of this evidence? Will you be speaking to your doctor? What medications do you take that may be at risk?