What Are the Drugs That Cause Memory Loss?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Some drugs can affect how well we remember things. Medicines like benzodiazepines, drugs with anticholinergic effects, opioids, and certain antidepressants have been linked with memory problems.

Explanation

Some medicines that affect the brain can make it to remember things. For example, benzodiazepines are a type of sedative used to help with anxiety or sleep, but they may slow down brain signals and affect memory harder. Drugs with anticholinergic properties, which are found in some allergy medicines, bladder relaxants, and even some antidepressants, can also block important brain chemicals needed for memory. Opioids, which are used for pain, might change how the brain works too. Additionally, certain antidepressants and antipsychotics have been noted to impact memory, especially when used in higher doses or for longer times. In patients with kidney problems, like those described in recent studies, these drugs might stay in the body longer and have a bigger effect on memory. It is important to remember that individual reactions can vary, and if someone notices memory problems while taking these medicines, they should speak with a doctor to see if another option could work better.

(References)

Hafez G, Malyszko J, Golenia A, Klimkowicz-Mrowiec A, Ferreira AC, Arıcı M, Bruchfeld A, Nitsch D, Massy ZA, Pépin M, Capasso G, Mani LY, Liabeuf S; CONNECT Action (Cognitive Decline in Nephro-Neurology European Cooperative Target). Drugs with a negative impact on cognitive functions (Part 2): drug classes to consider while prescribing in CKD patients. Clin Kidney J. 2023 Sep 18;16(12):2378-2392. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfad239. PMID: 38046029; PMCID: PMC10689198.
Shinohara M, Yamada M. [Drug-induced Cognitive Impairment]. Brain Nerve. 2016 Apr;68(4):421-8. Japanese. doi: 10.11477/mf.1416200415. PMID: 27056860.
Chavant F, Favrelière S, Lafay-Chebassier C, Plazanet C, Pérault-Pochat MC. Memory disorders associated with consumption of drugs: updating through a case/noncase study in the French PharmacoVigilance Database. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2011 Dec;72(6):898-904. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04009.x. PMID: 21557759; PMCID: PMC3244635.

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