Commonly prescribed drugs could increase risk of dementia, scientists have warned.
Research conducted by the University of Nottingham has revealed that regular use of medicines used to treat bladder conditions, Parkinson’s disease and depression could significantly increase the risk of developing the disease in later life.
The study showed that using anticholinergic medication every day for three years or more caused an almost 50 percent increase in the risk of dementia among patients aged 55 and over.
Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society, said of the research: “Current guidelines for doctors say that anticholinergic drugs should be avoided for frail older people because of their impact on memory and thinking, but doctors should consider these new findings for all middle aged and older people as long-term use could raise the risk of dementia.”
However, he warned that the study did not allow scientists to chart a definitive timeline between starting on the medications and the onset of dementia.
He said: “A shortcoming of this type of study is that from this information we can’t rule out whether the diseases that cause dementia might have already begun in the brains of people involved before they started taking these drugs."
Medicines to treat conditions like depression, epilepsy, and psychosis greatly increased the risk of dementia
Medicines to treat conditions like depression, epilepsy, and psychosis greatly increased the risk of dementia (Image: Getty/ Abel Mitjà Varela)
Anticholinergic drugs help to contract and relax muscles. They block acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits messages in the nervous system, and so stop the nerve impulses that cause involuntary muscle movements and several bodily functions.
The medicines are prescribed to treat conditions including an overactive bladder, allergies, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and obstructive pulmonary disease.
The short-term side effects of these medications are well-charted, with the drugs widely acknowledged to cause potential confusion and memory loss. However, this study suggests that they could cause more serious repercussions in the longer term, Surrey Live reports.
Woman with dementia
Anticholinergic drugs are already known to cause short-term side-effects like confusion and memory loss, (Image: Getty)
Scientists examined the medical records of more than 58,700 over-55's who were diagnosed with dementia, and around 225,500 patients who did not have the condition. They identified antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and epilepsy drugs as some of the medicines that could raise your chances of developing dementia later in life.
However, other types of anticholinergic drugs such as antihistamines and gastrointestinal drugs did not pose an increased risk of the disease.
The findings provide further evidence that doctors must exercise caution when prescribing certain drugs with anticholinergic properties. But academics stress that concerned patients must not stop taking their prescriptions abruptly as this could be more dangerous.
Instead, they advise people to consult their doctor to discuss the pros and cons of their treatment and possible alternatives.
Concerned patients must talk to their doctor about alternative treatments instead of stopping their medication abruptly (Image: SolStock/ Getty)
Professor Coupland, who led the review, said: “Our study adds further evidence of the potential risks associated with strong anticholinergic drugs, particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, anti-Parkinson drugs and epilepsy drugs."
He added: “The risks of this type of medication should be carefully considered by healthcare professionals alongside the benefits when the drugs are prescribed and alternative treatments should be considered where possible, such as other types of antidepressants or alternative types of treatment for bladder conditions.
"These findings also highlight the importance of carrying out regular medication reviews."
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