Dementia warning as common medication linked to increased risk of developing condition in old age
Common medications prescribed to treat bladder problems, depression and epilepsy have been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia in later life, researchers have warned.
A major study by the University of Nottingham found that regular use of anticholinergic drugs was associated with up to a 50 per cent higher chance of developing the condition in patients aged 55 and over.
The findings, which examined medical records of more than 58,700 patients with dementia and 225,500 without, have prompted health experts to issue a stark warning about long-term use of these medications.
The research, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal and led by Professor Carol Coupland, specifically identified antidepressants, antimuscarinic drugs, anti-Parkinson drugs and epilepsy drugs as most concerning.
The study examined patients who used strong anticholinergic medication daily for more than three years.
Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits messages in the nervous system, helping to contract and relax muscles. These medications are commonly prescribed to treat conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder conditions, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society Dr James Pickett said: “Current guidelines for doctors say that anticholinergic drugs should be avoided for frail older people because of their impact on memory and thinking, but doctors should consider these new findings for all middle aged and older people as long-term use could raise the risk of dementia.”
He noted a limitation of the research, saying: “A shortcoming of this type of study is that from this information we can’t rule out whether the diseases that cause dementia might have already begun in the brains of people involved before they started taking these drugs.”
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Recent analysis revealed specific medications carry particularly high risks, with oxybutynin hydrochloride linked to a 31 per cent higher risk of dementia.
Those prescribed tolterodine tartrate showed a 27 per cent increased risk of developing the condition.
However, some anticholinergic medications showed no increased dementia risk, including darifenacin, fesoterodine fumarate, flavoxate hydrochloride, propiverine hydrochloride, and trospium chloride.
NHS data indicates hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for these medications are issued in England each month.
Professor Tom Dening, Head of the Centre at the University of Nottingham and study team member, said: “This study provides further evidence that doctors should be careful when prescribing certain drugs that have anticholinergic properties.”
He continued: “However, it’s important that patients taking medications of this kind don’t just stop them abruptly as this may be much more harmful.
“If patients have concerns, then they should discuss them with their doctor to consider the pros and cons of the treatment they are receiving.”
The researchers emphasised the importance of regular medication reviews and considering alternative treatments where possible.