According to some statistics, prescription medications lead to more than 100.000 mortalities each year. In addition, more than one million people have to deal with side effects that are so intense that they usually have to visit local hospitals.
In other words, every drug we take comes with certain risks to our health, but not many people know that the side effects of prescription drugs are among the top 5 causes of death in the United States.
When it comes to side effects, memory loss is definitely among the most frequent ones. But, it is good to point out that if you try to learn more about the drugs you take, you will be able to protect yourself and avoid side effects.
The fact is that most prescription drugs can be categorized into three distinct groups of drugs related to memory loss and other similar problems.
Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills that are prescribed to patients for different reasons have the ability to create similar effects known to people when they are extremely drunk or even when they are in a coma and they also don’t provide the regenerative sleeping pattern that we need. In addition, they were linked to memory loss too.
Finally, the famous Ambien drug, used by thousands of Americans, often called amnesia drug, is associated with nightmares, hallucinations, sleep-driving, and walking.
Anti Drugs
Drugs that have anti in their names like antipsychotics, antidepressants, antibiotics, antihistamines, or antispasmodics will most likely have an impact on the acetylcholine presence in the body.
For those who didn’t know, acetylcholine is the most important neurotransmitter linked to learning abilities and memory. If the body has a low level of acetylcholine people can experience things like memory loss, poor vision, mental confusion, hallucinations, or even delirium.
Statin Drugs
Statin drugs are used for the reduction of cholesterol levels, but they seem to produce very negative effects on the brain. ¼ of the brain consists of cholesterol and this compound is very important for learning, memory, and thinking. So, drugs that focus on lowering cholesterol levels provide negative effects on the brain.
That’s why statin drug manufacturers now must point out this side effect on the label.
Finally, these 20 drugs have been associated with memory loss too.
After thorough research, Richard C. Mohs, who was once working as one of the top scientists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, created a list of 20 medications that were associated with memory loss in many people who have used them. This is the list he has created:
- Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta, and other sleeping pills
- medications used in the treatment of hypertension
- Codeine, morphine, heroin, and other painkillers
- Insulin
- Drugs used during chemotherapy
- Antibiotics
- Methyldopa
- Lithium
- Medications used in cases of Parkinson’s disease – glycopyrrolate, atropine, and scopolamine
- Steroids
- Mellaril, Haldol, and other antipsychotics
- Beta-blockers
- Interferons
- Naproxen
- Dilantin or phenytoin, medications used for epilepsy
- Seconal, Nembutal, Amytal, Phenobarbital, and other barbiturates
- Antidepressants (tricyclic)
- Antihistamines
- Quinidine
- Dalmane, Ativan, Xanax, Valium, and other benzodiazepines.
Via AARP