A Caution About Some Popular Medications

Image Credit: Taki Steve (Flickr - Creative Commons)

A study published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine concluded that some commonly used medications significantly increase an older person’s risk of developing dementia. The study followed over 3500 people for 17 years and tracked their use of drugs containing a specific neurotransmitter that interrupts the operation of involuntary muscles in the body, and interferes with the processing of information in the brain.

WHAT DO THESE DRUGS DO?

These drugs, called anti-cholinergics, slow involuntary muscle action in the lungs, urinary and gastro-intestinal tracts. Thus they are used to ease asthma and bronchitis, urinary tract infections, nausea, and diarrhea. They tend to make people drowsy, and so they are also found in sleeping aids. Anti-cholinergics are also used in first generation tricyclic anti-depressants. They are found in both prescription medications and over the counter drugs. Some commonly used anti-cholinergics include Benadryl, Dramamine, Chlor-Trimeton, Sominex, Advil PM and Spiriva.

For side effects and the rest of this post see: http://whiteoakcottages.com/a-caution-about-some-popular-medications/