Forgetfulness and mental confusion are often associated with aging, but the fact is, scientists have found that memory loss is not an inevitable part of aging. There are many factors that play a role in memory impairment, including alcohol and drug abuse, heavy smoking, head injuries, stroke, sleep deprivation, severe stress and illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and depression. Some of these are commonly known to affect memory, but there is one huge factor causing memory loss that is often overlooked. Many commonly prescribed drugs can interfere with memory. If you're currently taking medication and are having trouble remembering things, one of these may be the culprit.
1. Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines)
Antianxiety drugs are used to treat anxiety disorders, agitation, delirium and muscle spasms, and they are often used to prevent seizures. These drugs have a sedative effect, so they can also be used to treat insomnia and anxiety associated with depression. They work by reducing brain activity to temporarily relieve anxiety, which can lead to unwanted side effects including memory loss. Examples include: Xanax, Librium, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, Doral and Restoril.2. Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Statins)
These drugs are used to treat - you guessed it - high cholesterol. They can impair memory and other mental processes by depleting brain levels of cholesterol, which are vital to the formation of connections between nerve cells - they are the links between learning and memory. A study published in the Pharmacotherapy journal found that three out of four people using these drugs experienced adverse cognitive effects. Researchers also found that 90% of the patients who stopped using the drugs reported improvements in cognition, within days in some cases. Examples include: Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor and Zocor.3. Antiseizure drugs
These medications are used to help prevent seizures, as well as treat nerve pain, bipolar disorder, mood disorders and mania. They are believed to limit seizures by dampening the flow of signals within the central nervous system. Any drug that depresses signaling in the central nervous system can affect memory. Check out the long list of side effects, including effects on "thinking and alertness" on a medication called Trokendi XR. Examples include: Diamox, Tegretol, Potiga, Neurontin, Keppra, Trileptal, Lyrica, and Banzel.4. Antidepressant drugs (Tricyclic antidepressants)
Known as TCAs, these drugs are prescribed for depression, anxiety disorders, obessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain and some hormone-mediated disorders, such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes. About 35% of adults taking TCAs report some degree of memory impairment, and about 54% report difficulty concentrating. These drugs can cause memory problems by blocking the action of serotonin and norepinephrine — two of the brain's key chemical messengers. Examples include: Elavil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Vivactil, Sinequan and Tofranil.5. Narcotic painkillers
These medications are used to relieve moderate to severe chronic pain. They work by stemming the flow of pain signals within the central nervous system and blunting a patient's emotional reaction to pain. Chemical messengers play a main role in this process, which are also involved in many aspects of cognition, so the use of these drugs can interfere with both long-term and short-term memory. Examples include: Duragesic, Vicodin, Avinza, OxyContin, Exalgo and Percocet.
