Medications and memory
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Have you ever forgotten where you parked your car, put your keys, or someone’s name?
Some medications can contribute to these lapses!
This article presents examples of medications that can affect the brain and some questions to ask your health professional.
Did you know? Some medications have shown to impact memory and brain function, either when used alone or in combination with other medications.
By causing drowsiness, confusion, and a loss of balance, medications may interfere with attention, memory, language, task planning and execution, or other cognitive faculties. These side effects may be temporary or long-term.
Older adults are particularly at risk of suffering from these side effects. As we age, our body becomes more sensitive to them, including side effects affecting the brain. Individuals who have a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia are also at risk. They should avoid taking medications that could worsen their cognition, especially when a safer and more effective alternative is available.
Which medications can affect memory and brain function? Take a look at the table below to see if you or someone you know are taking medication that can negatively affect the brain. Please note that medications other than those listed may also impact function and memory.
Examples of medications that can affect cognition and memory
|
Medication classes |
Example of medications |
Common uses |
|
Sleeping pills |
Benzodiazepines |
These medications are generally prescribed to people who have trouble sleeping. Learn more here. |
|
Non-benzodiazepine sedatives or “z-drugs” |
||
|
Over-the-counter sleeping aids |
diphenhydramine |
These medications are available without a prescription and are generally taken for insomnia (trouble sleeping). Learn more here. |
|
Some anti-allergy medications |
hydroxyzine (Atarax®), |
These medications are generally used to treat itchy skin allergies. More rarely, they are used to treat insomnia or anxiety. Learn more here. |
|
Some anti-nausea medications |
dimenhydrinate (Gravol®) |
These medications are often used to treat motion sickness when travelling. |
|
Antipsychotics |
quetiapine (Seroquel®), |
These medications are used to treat certain types of mental health problems, such as schizophrenia. However, these medications are often prescribed “off-label” for sleep or anxiety, or to treat behavioural symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Learn more here. |
|
Some antidepressants |
amitriptyline (Elavil®), |
Although these medications are called antidepressants, they are prescribed for a number of reasons, including for sleep, the prevention of migraines, the treatment of pain or depression. |
|
Medications for urinary incontinence |
oxybutynin (Ditropan®) |
These medications may be prescribed to treat overactive bladder (a condition where a person has sudden urges to urinate). |
|
Muscle relaxants |
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®), |
These medications are generally used to treat spasms, and neck or back pain. |
|
Opioid (narcotic) medications |
codeine (Tylenol NO. 3®), |
These medications may be prescribed for acute pain (e.g., short term pain after surgery), as well as chronic pain. Learn more here. |
|
Medications to treat nerve pain or epilepsy |
pregabalin (Lyrica®), |
These medications may be prescribed for a number of conditions, including nerve pain caused by diabetes or shingles. Learn more here. |
What Can You Do?
Here are a few things you can do to make sure your medications aren’t harming your memory or cognition:
Ask for a medication review: speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist and request a full review of your medication. Together, you will assess if any of them may be affecting your memory or cognition. Remember to always bring a complete list of your medications with you to this appointment.
Ask about deprescribing: Deprescribing means stopping or reducing the dose of a medication that may no longer be necessary or may be causing harm. Ask your health professional : “If a medication may be affecting my memory or cognition, could it be deprescribed?”
Here are five questions you can ask your health professional when reviewing your medications:
5 questions to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your medications:
1. Why am I taking this medication?
2. What are the potential benefits and harms of this medication?
3. Can it affect my memory or cause me to fall?
4. Can I stop or reduce the dose of this medication (i.e. deprescribing)?
5. Who do I follow-up with and when?
Always talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before stopping or changing any of your medications.
Are you interested in learning about different ways to help maintain good brain health and prevent dementia? Find out more here.