MINNEAPOLIS – A new study is sounding the alarm for patients taking dozens of generic prescription and over-the-counter medications. Researchers have found that taking a specific class of drug, Anticholinergics, Mild thinking and increased risk of developing memory problems.
Studies show that there are about 100 such drugs in widespread use. These drugs treat everything from colds to high blood pressure to stress.
Research, published in the journal Neurology, People with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are particularly susceptible to these issues. Overall, scientists disclose patients with any cognitive issues 47 percent more likely To develop mental weakness if they are taking at least one anticholinergic drug.
“Our findings suggest that reducing the use of anticholinergic drugs before people develop any cognitive problems may be an important way to prevent the negative consequences of these drugs on thinking skills, especially for people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” the study authors from the University of California. Lisa Delano-Wood, San Diego, said in a press release.
How common are anticholinergics?
Researchers say there are a variety of uses for these drugs that address both common health issues and serious illnesses. Patients take them for conditions such as motion sickness, urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. Anticholinergics are also indicated to manage Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure.
The most common drugs in the anticholinergic drug class are metoprolol, atenolol, loratadine, and bupropion.
The study examined 688 people with an average age of 74 years. The researchers said that at the beginning of the decade-long review, none of the participants had any problems with thinking or memory.
The study authors also found that people on anticholinergics usually take these drugs at the same time. Overall, one-third of the participants were found to be taking some type of anticholinergic drug and the average patient was using four to five anticholinergic drugs.
Links to Alzheimer’s disease
This report focuses on cognitive tests conducted by the group once a year for 10 years. Of the 230 people taking anticholinergic drugs, 117 (51 percent) developed mild cognitive impairments. Of those participants who do not take these medications, only 42 percent eventually have these problems.
After adjusting for depression, the number of medications taken, and each patient’s history of cardiac problems, the study authors reached their 47 percent risk determination. They will add that further exposure to anticholinergics increases this risk factor.
When studying human biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, a greater likelihood of cognitive problems emerges. Researchers say that people with risk factors for Alzheimer’s are in their cerebrospinal fluid. Four times Likely to be affected by anticholinergic drugs.
People with other genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s are 2.5 times more likely to have mild cognitive impairments.
Dosing may be associated with memory problems
Delano-Wood and his team also say that most patients take larger doses than they need for older adults. In fact, the report shows that 57 percent of people take twice the minimum recommended dose and 18 percent four times that amount.
Delano-Wood says, “This is of course and is a potential area for improvement that could potentially lead to a reduction in cases of mild cognitive impairment.”
The study notes that the results are limited by the size of the patient’s sample and the fact that only a third of anticholinergic drugs are taken. Researchers say other studies have found that the number of older adults taking anticholinergics is actually closer to 70 percent.
While the results point to possible issues with these medications, study authors recommend that patients talk to their doctor or pharmacist before abruptly stop using their instructions.
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