This could be a hard pill to swallow.
An unhealthy diet, chronic insomnia, obesity and certain genetics can raise your risk of dementia, which destroys your memory, thinking skills and capacity to do basic tasks over time.
Now, a board-certified anesthesiologist in Los Angeles is revealing five daily medications that may also increase your likelihood of developing dementia, a group of brain disorders that affects nearly 7 million Americans.
“The theme for [nearly] all these medications [is] they typically affect your brain,” Dr. Zain Hasan recently shared on TikTok. “Anything [that] sedates your brain for a long period of time, including anesthesia, can cause dementia.”
Benadryl
“If you take diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl or Elavil, or any sort of antihistamine medication or anticholinergic for a long period of time, it has been linked to dementia,” Hasan said.
Benadryl is an over-the-counter antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of hay fever, allergies and the common cold.
Research has shown a link between an increased risk of dementia and long-term use of Benadryl and other anticholinergic drugs that block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for muscle contractions and important brain functions like learning and memory.
Opiates
“This is pretty common knowledge, but if you take any opiates like morphine regularly, they affect your brain,” Hasan said.
Opioids are a key component of anesthesia. One study found that the risk of developing dementia can nearly double within three to seven years of undergoing surgery where anesthesia is administered.
Omeprazole
“This was a little bit surprising to me, but if you take omeprazole regularly, it can increase the amount of beta-amyloid in your brain, which can lead to dementia,” Hasan said.
Omeprazole, sold under brand names like Prilosec and Losec, decreases the amount of acid in the stomach to treat indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux.
Studies on an association between proton pump inhibitors (PPI) like omeprazole and dementia have produced mixed results, with some research finding no additional risk and others identifying a link with long-term use.
The idea is that PPIs may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, affecting memory and cognitive function. PPIs may also influence brain enzymes responsible for breaking down beta-amyloid — the build-up of this protein is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, like Valium and Xanax, are depressant drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and sleep disorders, among other conditions.
“If you take benzodiazepines for a long period of time, it can cause dementia,” Hasan said. “It makes entire sense. It goes into your central nervous system. It numbs your entire brain. It helps with anxiety. It helps with alcohol withdrawal.”
Tricyclic antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants, like Norpramin and Vivactil, are primarily used to treat severe depression but may also be prescribed off-label for chronic pain, insomnia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Like Benadryl, these antidepressants exhibit anticholinergic effects, but there’s inconsistent scientific evidence that they increase the risk of dementia.
“If you’re taking these medications,” Hasan advised, “always talk to your primary care doctor first before you stop anything, especially medications like opiates and benzos. Tell them you’re scared or worried about dementia in the future, especially if you’re younger and you have a lifetime taking [these] medications.”
