Prescription drugs are something we all use almost every day for any type of pain or medical problem. Unfortunately, they cause over 100,000 deaths and lead to a staggering 1.5 million cases of people who have had very serious complications or side-effects. These kinds of adverse drug reactions are the number one cause for death in the USA. Each one of the prescription drugs can cause some risk. One of the most frequent ones is memory loss.
3 TYPES OF MEDICATIONS THAT CAUSE MEMORY LOSS
There are three categories of prescription drugs that can cause various cognitive problems or memory loss:
1. THE “ANTI” DRUGS
All of the drugs that start with “anti”: antispasmodics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihypertensive, antibiotics or antihistamines will have some effect on your acetylcholine level.
Acetylcholine is known as the primary neurotransmitter responsible for memory and learning. Low-levels of acetylcholine can cause blurred vision, delirium, memory loss, dementia, mental confusion and hallucinations.
2. SLEEPING PILLS
Sleeping pills are very well-known by numerous people that they can indeed cause the appearance of memory loss.
One of the most popular drugs also called “the amnesia drug” is Ambien. People who have taken it claim that they have experienced night terrors, sleep driving, sleep walking and hallucinations.
Sleeping pills can cause the person to be in a state similar to being in a coma or being drunk. People who take them usually do not have the restorative sleep their brain needs so that it can maintain and later repair itself.
There are numerous other ways that can help you fall asleep other than sleeping pills.
3. STATIN DRUGS
Statin drugs are used for cholesterol-lowering, but they are considered to be some of the worst medications for your brain. They can lead to memory loss and that should be seriously written on their label.
The cholesterol in our brain comprises ¼ of it. We need it for fast thinking, learning and memory. These medications can really have a negative effect on the health of your brain.
20 DRUGS KNOWN TO LEAD TO MEMORY LOSS
Here are 20 drugs that can cause memory loss as a side-effect:
High blood pressure drugs
- Painkillers – morphine, heroin, codeine
- Interferons
- Epilepsy – Dilantin or phenytoin
- Antihistamines
- Beta blockers (especially those for glaucoma)
- Naproxen
- Steroids
- Sleeping pills – Lunesta, Ambien, Sonata
- Benzodiazepines – Xanax, Valium, Dalmane, Ativan
- Parkinson’s disease – atropine, scopolamine, glycopyrrolate
- Insulin
- Lithium
- Antibiotics (quinolones)
- Quinidine
- Barbiturates – Nembutal, Amytal, Phenobarbital, Seconal
- Antipsychotics – Mellaril, Haldol
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Methyldopa
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Richard C. Mohs, who is a former vice chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, was the one who prepared this list.
WHAT TO DO?
Make sure you consult your doctor if you decide to start using some of these drugs. Try with different options for example natural remedies, change of lifestyle or exercising regularly.
In case you have to use them, you have to protect your brain somehow: take some supplements, eat a brain-healthy diet or do some physical exercise.
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