Alzheimers Disease: How Some
Medications Hurt Your Memory

Your doctor says you have Alzheimers Disease. But did he review your medications to be certain that some aren’t suppressing acetylcholine, a chemical essential to learning and memory?

And that is why it may appear you are in decline?

Renowned researchers and health providers P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D. and Lisa P. Gwyther, M.S.W. of Duke University warn that so-called anticholinergic medications do exactly that--suppress the very brain chemical that Alzheimer‘s Disease medications act to increase.

Indeed, researchers who test memory medications often induce Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms in healthy test subjects by giving them large amounts of such drugs.

It pays to be aware so you can ensure that your doctor is considering every possible cause of what you may believe to be age-related mental decline.

It may be the medications you take.

Who Is at Risk &
What Do You Do?

Anticholinergic drugs are very common. In the U.S., one in five people over the age of 65 is taking them. Sometimes in the face of their doctors offer of a substitute.

The dilemma is that many of them are very useful and even essential to health.

Determining which ones you can do without requires consultation with your doctor (or a specialist very familiar with memory impairment) and possibly a pharmacist.

This bit of investigation may make the difference between having an Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis or not. Surely worth the effort.

In their book, The Alzheimer's Action Plan Doraiswamy and Gwyther present practical advice from the perspective of how they would care for an afflicted family member. It is essential reading.

Medications to Watch
Out For

Dr. Doraiswamy points out that not all anticholinergic medications are equally problematic. Some affect people in different ways, and while all suppress acetylcholine, some do so more than others.

When you learn which medications you take may be contributing to learning or memory problems, you and your health providers can then decide whether there are alternatives or perhaps even some you can do without.

Do not undertake this type of analysis or decision-making without medical advice.

Painkillers

Anti-Nausea Medications

Muscle Relaxants & Antispasmodics

Older Psychiatric Drugs (sleeping aids, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs)

Anti-anxiety medications

Tranquilizers

Heart Medicines

Diabetes Medicine

Stomach Drugs

Anticholinergics & Antihistamines

For a full list of potential medications that may induce memory or learning problems that may appear to be Alzheimers Disease or another form of dementia, visit Duke's web site.

If You Need Help

Dementia disorders and Alzheimers Disease are one of the many challenges we inevitably face in our elder years. Anticipating what lies ahead may require the expertise of an elder care professional. They offer an objective view of your family's situation, a qualified voice that a reluctant family member will listen to, and the knowledge to point you in the right direction.

Return From Alzheimers Disease to Aging Gracefully