Which medications can worsen thinking, memory, behavior, or function?

2021 ◽  
pp. 159-180
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Muscle Relaxants ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Cholesterol Lowering ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Anticholinergic Medications ◽  
Memory Problems

Many medications may cause memory impairment, drowsiness, and confusion. Make sure that you know and keep track of all the medications your loved one is taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Review these medications with their doctor. When possible, stop or lower the dose of medications that are causing problems. There are a variety of medications that can produce impairments in thinking and memory, including anticholinergic medications; antidepressants; antihistamines; antipsychotics; anxiety medications (benzodiazepines); dizziness and vertigo medications; incontinence medications (antispasmodics); migraine medications; muscle relaxants; narcotics (opioids); nausea, stomach, and bowel medications; seizure medications (anticonvulsants); sleeping medications; tremor medications; and herbal remedies. Consider anesthesia and cancer treatments carefully. Lastly, note that cholesterol-lowering medications do not cause memory problems.

Which medications can worsen thinking, memory, behavior, or function?

2021 ◽  
pp. 159-180
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Muscle Relaxants ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Cholesterol Lowering ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Anticholinergic Medications ◽  
Memory Problems

Many medications may cause memory impairment, drowsiness, and confusion. Make sure that you know and keep track of all the medications your loved one is taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Review these medications with their doctor. When possible, stop or lower the dose of medications that are causing problems. There are a variety of medications that can produce impairments in thinking and memory, including anticholinergic medications; antidepressants; antihistamines; antipsychotics; anxiety medications (benzodiazepines); dizziness and vertigo medications; incontinence medications (antispasmodics); migraine medications; muscle relaxants; narcotics (opioids); nausea, stomach, and bowel medications; seizure medications (anticonvulsants); sleeping medications; tremor medications; and herbal remedies. Consider anesthesia and cancer treatments carefully. Lastly, note that cholesterol-lowering medications do not cause memory problems.

SCREENING FOR DEMENTIA: IS 1 SIMPLE QUESTION THE ANSWER?

2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. e4.152-e4
Author(s):  
Baba Aji ◽  
Andrew Larner
Keyword(s):  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Seizure Type ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Subjective Memory Impairment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Dementia Screening ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
Simple Question ◽  
Screening Question

ObjectiveTo examine the diagnostic utility of the dementia screening question from the DoH Dementia CQUIN document (2012) in consecutive patients in a dedicated epilepsy clinic, individuals in whom memory complaints are common.Results100 consecutive outpatients (M:F=61:39, median age 44.5 years) were asked ‘Have you been more forgetful in the past 12 months to the extent that it has significantly affected your life?’, as advocated in the Dementia CQUIN document. There was a 48% yes response. No patient was adjudged to have dementia. Comparing the yes/no groups, there was no difference in sex ratio, age, seizure type, or use of antiepileptic drugs (monotherapy versus polytherapy). Those answering yes were more likely to be follow-up than new patients. Intergroup difference in epilepsy duration showed a trend to longer duration in the yes group. The most common examples of memory problems volunteered were forgetting to attend appointments, take medications, or switch off appliances, suggestive of attentional rather than mnestic problems.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the Dementia CQUIN screening question has very low specificity, and hence will identify many false positives, with risk of overdiagnosis of dementia in individuals with purely subjective memory impairment.

scholarly journals Understanding older adults' medication decision making and behavior: A study on over-the-counter (OTC) anticholinergic medications

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Holden ◽  
Preethi Srinivas ◽  
Noll L. Campbell ◽  
Daniel O. Clark ◽  
Kunal S. Bodke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Anticholinergic Medications ◽  
And Behavior

How to manage memory problems

2021 ◽  
pp. 49-74
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
False Memories ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Memory Strategies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
At Home

There are many way to help manage your loved one’s memory problems. If their dementia is fairly mild, memory strategies and aids can often help. Using a pillbox or another method to ensure that medications are being taken correctly is critical. Pictures are more easily learned than words. Don’t tell a person with dementia what not to do; tell them what they should do. Habits and routines are generally preserved in dementia, and new ones can be learned. Use methods to make sure the stove is not left on and the water is not left running. Work to eliminate wandering and write a plan in case it occurs. Take advantage of technological solutions to memory problems. Use reminders of the past to make your loved one feel more at home. Don’t fight false memories. Lastly, reminding your loved one that they have memory problems is rarely helpful.

How to manage memory problems

2021 ◽  
pp. 49-74
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
False Memories ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Memory Strategies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
At Home

There are many way to help manage your loved one’s memory problems. If their dementia is fairly mild, memory strategies and aids can often help. Using a pillbox or another method to ensure that medications are being taken correctly is critical. Pictures are more easily learned than words. Don’t tell a person with dementia what not to do; tell them what they should do. Habits and routines are generally preserved in dementia, and new ones can be learned. Use methods to make sure the stove is not left on and the water is not left running. Work to eliminate wandering and write a plan in case it occurs. Take advantage of technological solutions to memory problems. Use reminders of the past to make your loved one feel more at home. Don’t fight false memories. Lastly, reminding your loved one that they have memory problems is rarely helpful.

scholarly journals Dietary Adjuncts for Improving Testosterone Levels in Hypogonadal Males

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. NP109-NP117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason R. Kovac ◽  
Michael Pan ◽  
Shawn Arent ◽  
Larry I. Lipshultz
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Tribulus Terrestris ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Controlled Substances ◽  
Testosterone Levels

An increasing number of men are being diagnosed with hypogonadism. While many benefit from testosterone supplementation therapy, others who do not meet the criteria for hormone supplementation have turned to dietary adjuncts as a way or gaining improvements in libido, energy, and physical performance. These oral adjunct medications include controlled substances such as androstenedione, androstenediol as well as other “over-the-counter” options like DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and herbal remedies like Tribulus terrestris. This review will focus on the use of these adjunct medications in isolation, or in combination with testosterone supplementation therapy as well as the biochemical nature of the supplements, the results of scientific trials as well as the side effects that limit their use. At the end of this review, physicians will have an improved understanding of the popular testosterone adjuncts being used currently as well as the availability of these substances and how they are used.

The Effects of Four Label Design Parameters on Perceived Reliability, Efficacy and Intent to Purchase of Over-the-counter Medication

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 546-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc L. Resnick
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Intent To Purchase ◽  
Counter Medication ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost

The cost of medical care has been skyrocketing for many years. One solution being promoted by both the government and medical industry is to increase the effectiveness and prevalence of self care and prevention. By managing for their own medical needs, patients can significantly reduce the cost of their medical care by replacing expensive prescription drugs with over-the-counter (OTC) products. The establishment of the Office of Alternative Medicine by the National Institutes of Health has legitimized the inclusion of herbal remedies in this plan. However, the labeling guidelines for OTC products are vague and under constant debate. This research evaluates the effects of several label content parameters regarding indication and effectiveness claims. Subjects were provided with labels for fictitious herbal and chemical medical products and asked to report their perceptions of the reliability of the claim, the products' effectiveness, and their likelihood of purchasing the product. Parameters included the originator of the claim (FDA, doctor groups, Harvard University and athletes), usability factors, product type (chemical, herbal), and disorder. The results have significant implications for the development of labeling guidelines for consumer-focused products.

scholarly journals Case Report: The Complexities of Managing Medications and the Importance of Deprescribing Anticholinergics in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor Elliott ◽  
Lynne Eckmann ◽  
Daniela C. Moga
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Interprofessional Team ◽  
Anticholinergic Medications ◽  
Clinical Complexity ◽  
Tract Infections

Potentially inappropriate anticholinergic medications (including over-the-counter products), polypharmacy, and the existence of communication barriers among members of the interprofessional team frequently contribute to clinical complexity in older adults. We present the case of a frail 86-year old female from the perspective of a community pharmacist managing outpatient medications and transitions of care. CD’s past medical history is significant for dementia, multiple falls, recurrent urinary tract infections, depression, cardiac arrhythmia, macular degeneration, chronic pain, depression, and cerebrovascular disease.

scholarly journals Acute abdominal pain and constipation due to lead poisoning

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-226
Author(s):  
Shiva Mongolu ◽  
◽  
Patrick Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Drug Toxicity ◽  
Acute Abdominal Pain ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Asian Male

Although uncommon, lead poisoning should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of unexplained acute abdominal pain in both adults and children. We present the case of a 35-year-old Asian male who presented with abdominal pain and constipation secondary to lead poisoning. Initially, the source of lead exposure was not apparent; this was later found to be due to ingestion of an Ayurvedic herbal medicine for the treatment of infertility. Lead poisoning due to the ingestion of Ayurvedic remedies is well described. We discuss the diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of lead poisoning. This case illustrates one of the rarer medical causes of acute abdominal pain and emphasizes the need to take a thorough history (including specific questioning regarding the use of over-the-counter and traditional/ herbal remedies) in cases of suspected poisoning or drug toxicity.

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