073 Anticholinergic Medications and Protecting Brain Health

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what older adults and families should know about anticholinergic medications and their negative impact on brain health. Many commonly used over-the-counter and prescription medications are anticholinergic, and on the Beer’s List of Medications Older Adults Should Avoid or Use With Caution. She covers:

• What it means for a medication to be anticholinergic
• The evidence linking anticholinergics with confusion, delirium, and dementia
• Seven commonly used types of medication that are quite anticholinergic
• Why it’s important to minimize anticholinergics if you’re worried about memory or have been diagnosed dementia
• How you can determine whether you or your parent’s medications are anticholinergic
• What to do, if you or an older person you care for is taking an anticholinergic medication

Related episode: 

046 Interview: Deprescribing & Reducing Risky Medications in Aging

Related Resources:

• 7 Common Brain-Slowing Drugs Older Adults Should Use With Caution
• Over-the-counter drugs may pose danger for older people, study says
• 4 Types of Medication to Avoid if You're Worried About Memory
• Related scholarly articles:
  • Chronic Anticholinergic Use and the Aging Brain
  • Association Between Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognition, Brain Metabolism, and Brain Atrophy in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
  • Cumulative Use of Strong Anticholinergics and Incident Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study
  • Multiple Anticholinergic Medication Use and Risk of Hospital Admission for Confusion or Dementia