How popular hayfever pills 'could raise Alzheimer's risk' by more than 50% | Daily Mail Online
- Sleep remedies, hayfever pills and anti-depressants are linked to dementia
- The risk is greatest when high doses are taken over several years
- Risk was 54 per cent higher for people taking the highest doses
- Found a link between dementia and antihistamines Piriton and Benadryl
- Link was found with sleep remedy Nytol and anti-depressant Doxepin
- Also found with Nytol and Ditropan - treatment for an overactive bladder
Common over-the-counter hayfever pills could raise your risk of Alzheimer’s, warn researchers.
They found a link between dementia in older people and anticholinergic
drugs, which include the antihistamines Benadryl and Piriton, as well as
sleep remedy Nytol and some older antidepressants.
drugs, which include the antihistamines Benadryl and Piriton, as well as
sleep remedy Nytol and some older antidepressants.
These medications affect the brain by blocking a key chemical messenger
called acetylcholine, which has a range of functions in the body.
called acetylcholine, which has a range of functions in the body.
Popular hayfever pills such as Benadryl and Piriton, sleep remedy Nytol, Ditropan - which is used to
treat an overactive bladder, and the antidepressant doxepin have all been linked to dementia The dementia risk is greatest when high doses are taken over several years, the US study found.
treat an overactive bladder, and the antidepressant doxepin have all been linked to dementia The dementia risk is greatest when high doses are taken over several years, the US study found.
Many of the drugs are more commonly taken by older people, with up to half
of the UK’s elderly population being prescribed at least one
anticholinergic medication.
of the UK’s elderly population being prescribed at least one
anticholinergic medication.
Study leader Professor Shelly Gray, of the University of Washington School of
Pharmacy, said no one should simply stop taking the drugs without
speaking to their doctor.
Pharmacy, said no one should simply stop taking the drugs without
speaking to their doctor.
But she said: ‘Healthcare providers should regularly review their older
patients’ drug regimens, including over-the-counter medications, to look
for chances to use fewer anticholinergic medications at lower doses.’
patients’ drug regimens, including over-the-counter medications, to look
for chances to use fewer anticholinergic medications at lower doses.’
Research last year linked the use of anticholinergic drugs with mental
impairment in the elderly. But the new study, in the journal JAMA
Internal Medicine, is the first to show that the higher the dose, the
higher the risk of dementia.
impairment in the elderly. But the new study, in the journal JAMA
Internal Medicine, is the first to show that the higher the dose, the
higher the risk of dementia.
Researchers tracked 3,434 men and women aged 65 and over for around seven years
while monitoring their use of anticholinergic drugs. Of the total, 637
developed Alzheimer’s and 160 were affected by other forms of dementia.
while monitoring their use of anticholinergic drugs. Of the total, 637
developed Alzheimer’s and 160 were affected by other forms of dementia.
For those taking the biggest doses of anticholinergic drugs, the risk of
dementia was 54 per cent higher than those using none. The risk of
Alzheimer’s was 63 per cent higher.
dementia was 54 per cent higher than those using none. The risk of
Alzheimer’s was 63 per cent higher.
Of the drugs named in the study, an increased risk of dementia was seen in
people taking at least 10mg a day of the antidepressant doxepin, 4mg a
day of diphenhydramine (which is in Nytol and Benadryl) or 5mg a day of
oxybutynin (Ditropan) for an overactive bladder for at least three years.
people taking at least 10mg a day of the antidepressant doxepin, 4mg a
day of diphenhydramine (which is in Nytol and Benadryl) or 5mg a day of
oxybutynin (Ditropan) for an overactive bladder for at least three years.
Many newer drugs to treat these conditions do not have anticholinergic
effects, such as the antidepressant Prozac and antihistamines such as
loratadine (Claritin).
effects, such as the antidepressant Prozac and antihistamines such as
loratadine (Claritin).
Anticholinergic drugs block a chemical transmitter called acetylcholine, leading to
side effects such as drowsiness and poor memory. People with Alzheimer’s
disease are known to lack acetylcholine.
Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said more research was
needed, adding: ‘This large study adds to some existing evidence linking
anticholinergic drugs to a small increased risk of dementia, but the
results don’t tell us that these drugs cause the condition.’
side effects such as drowsiness and poor memory. People with Alzheimer’s
disease are known to lack acetylcholine.
Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said more research was
needed, adding: ‘This large study adds to some existing evidence linking
anticholinergic drugs to a small increased risk of dementia, but the
results don’t tell us that these drugs cause the condition.’
For people who took the highest doses
of these drugs for the seven-year study period, the risk of dementia was
increased by a statistically significant 54 per cent compared with no
use. The risk of Alzheimer's was raised by 63 per cent
of these drugs for the seven-year study period, the risk of dementia was
increased by a statistically significant 54 per cent compared with no
use. The risk of Alzheimer's was raised by 63 per cent
