According to the latest statistics, prescription drugs cause over 100,000 deaths per year and cause another 1.5 million people to experience severe side effects and they must be hospitalized.
It is very clear that medication carries some risks and memory loss is a very common side effect.
THE TOP 3 TYPES OF DRUGS THAT CAUSE MEMORY LOSS
If you are taking any prescription medication, check if they belong in some of these three categories of drugs known to cause memory loss and other cognitive problems:
1. The “Anti” Drugs
Well, if you take a drug that starts with “anti,” such as antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, antispasmodics, or antihypertensives, affects your acetylcholine levels.
Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter involved with memory and learning. Low acetycholine can lead to symptoms such as: mental confusion, delirium, blurred vision, memory loss, and hallucinations.
2. Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills are notorious for causing memory loss.
Sleeping pills have the ability to put you in a condition similar to being passed out drunk or in a coma while bypassing the restorative sleep your brain needs. There are natural ways to get to sleep!
3. Statin Drugs
These drugs are medications which are used to lower the cholesterol level. But these medications are also known to cause cognitive issues including memory loss and concentration problems.
The following 20 Medications That Can Lead to Memory Loss
Here is a list of medications known to have memory loss as a possible side effect:
- for Parkinson’s — scopolamine, atropine, glycopyrrolate
- for epilepsy — phenytoin or Dilantin
- painkillers — heroin, morphine, codeine
- sleeping pills — Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata
- benzodiazepines — Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Dalmane
- quinidine
- naproxen
- steroids
- antibiotics (quinolones)
- antihistamines
- interferons
- high blood pressure drugs
- insulin
- beta blockers (especially those used for glaucoma)
- methyldopa
- antipsychotics — Haldol, Mellaril
- tricyclic antidepressants
- lithium
- barbiturates — Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital
- chemotherapy drugs
What You Can Do Next
If you are taking any of these medications mentioned above, then we recommend you to talk to your doctor if you have doubt it’s affecting your memory.
Ask for better options — different prescriptions and/or making healthy lifestyle choices — instead.
Even if you have to continue using your medication, you can lessen the load on your brain and start taking a healthy lifestyle such as eating a brain-healthy diet, getting the physical exercise your brain needs, taking the right brain supplements and be active and positive!
Share This Post
