Alzheimer's risk linked to hayfever and sleeping pills
Certain over-the-counter anticholinergic drugs raise risk of developing dementia, finds new study
Certain types of over-the-counter hayfever and sleeping pills can raise the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a new study has found.
Nytol, Benadryl and Piriton are among those highlighted in a warning from researchers at the University of Washington. The antidepressant Doxepin and bladder control treatment Ditropan were also listed.
These medications have "anticholinergic" effects, blocking a chemical transmitter in the body called acetylcholine, which can lead to blurred vision, poor memory and drowsiness.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The research, published in the journal Jama Internal Medicine, monitored 3,434 men and women aged over 65 for seven years while recording their use of the anticholinergic drugs.
Around 637, almost one fifth, developed a form of dementia, including Alzheimer's, by the end of the study.
Those taking the highest dose of anticholinergic drugs had a 54 per cent greater risk of developing dementia than those who did not use the drugs at all, while the risk of developing Alzheimer's was 63 per cent greater.
The researchers advised that older people taking these medications should inform their doctor.
People taking at least 10mg per day of doxepin, 4mg per day of diphenhydramine (Nytol, Benadryl) or 5mg per day of oxybutynin (Ditropan) for more than three years had an increased risk of developing dementia, according to the study.
The antidepressant Prozac and anti-histamine loratadine (Claritin) were named as substitutes that did not have anticholinergic effects.
Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, told the Daily Telegraph that people should seek advice from their doctors before stopping their medication.
People with Alzheimer's disease are known to lack acetylcholine and it is feared the pills might make the condition worse.
However, Ridley said that the results do not necessarily show that it is the drugs causing the condition: it could instead be a result of the underlying condition for which people were taking the medication.
"Continued research to shed light on these links will be important for helping understand the benefits and potential risks of these drugs," he said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What power does Elon Musk hold as a campaigner?
Talking Points The world's richest man is going all in to get Donald Trump elected in November — whether it will make a difference is entirely unclear
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Some of the delay is needless'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why does Donald Trump want to free the founder of an online black market?
Today's Big Question Ross Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison for creating the Silk Road market
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Lecanemab: the Alzheimer’s drug that could herald a cure
Speed Read Treatment slowed memory decline by 27% over 18 months but there are concerns over safety
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published