My answer to Is dementia related to all anti-cholinergics or just GABA-enhancing ones?
Answer by Connie b. Dellobuono:
To both and many neuro drugs including narcotics (tramadol,others).
These Sleep and Anxiety Drugs May Cause Dementia: Benzodiazepines – the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and its effects counteracts the actions of stimulants and excitatory neurotransmitters such as epinephrine
Medications to avoid or use briefly; Common drugs that might increase dementia risk ;
Two types of drugs you may want to avoid for the sake of your brain – Harvard Health
Possible alternatives
Allergies, colds
Anticholinergics
brompheniramine (Dimetapp)
carbinoxamine (Palgic)
chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)
desloratadine (Clarinex)
fexofenadine (Allegra)
loratadine (Claritin)
Anxiety
Benzodiazepines
alprazolam (Xanax)
chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
clonazepam (Klonopin)
clorazepate (Tranxene)
diazepam (Valium)
flurazepam (Dalmane)
lorazepam (Ativan)
oxazepam (Serax)
bupropion (Wellbutrin)
buspirone (Buspar)
citalopram (Celexa)
fluoxetine (Prozac)
paroxetine (Paxil)
sertraline (Zoloft)
venlafaxine (Effexor)
Depression
Anticholinergics
amitriptyline (Elavil)
clomipramine (Anafranil)
doxepin (Sinequan)
imipramine (Tofranil)
trimipramine (Surmontil)
bupropion (Wellbutrin)
buspirone (Buspar)
citalopram (Celexa)
fluoxetine (Prozac)
paroxetine (Paxil)
sertraline (Zoloft)
venlafaxine (Effexor)
Insomnia
Anticholinergics
mirtazapine (Remeron)
nefazodone (Serzone)
trazodone (Desyrel)
Benzodiazepines
estazolam (Prosom)
quazepam (Doral)
temazepam (Restoril)
triazolam (Halcion)
Melatonin
Nondrug approaches
practicing relaxation techniques
avoiding alcohol and heavy meals before bedtime
exercising vigorously early in the day
Urge incontinence
Anticholinergics
darifenacin (Enablex)
fesoterodine (Toviaz)
flavoxate (Urispas)
oxybutynin (Ditropan)
solifenacin (Vesicare)
tolterodine (Detrol)
trimipramine (Surmontil)
trospium (Sanctura)
Nondrug approaches
bladder training
physical exercise
weight loss for overweight or obese women
Minimally invasive procedures
Botox injections
implantable bladder stimulators
Possible effects of anticholinergics include:
- Poor coordination
- Dementia[13]
- Decreased mucus production in the nose and throat; consequent dry, sore throat
- Dry-mouth with possible acceleration of dental caries
- Stopping of sweating; consequent decreased epidermal thermal dissipation leading to warm, blotchy, or red skin
- Increased body temperature
- Pupil dilation; consequent sensitivity to bright light (photophobia)
- Loss of accommodation (loss of focusing ability, blurred vision – cycloplegia)
- Double-vision
- Increased heart rate
- Tendency to be easily startled
- Urinary retention
- Diminished bowel movement, sometimes ileus (decreases motility via the vagus nerve)
- Increased intraocular pressure; dangerous for people with narrow-angle glaucoma.
Sources: DeGage SB, et al. “Benzodiazepine use and risk of Alzheimer’s disease: Case-control study,” BMJ (Sept. 9, 2014), Vol. 351, published online; Salahudeen MS et al. “Anticholinergic burden quantified by anticholinergic risk scales and adverse outcomes in older people: A systematic review,” BMC Geriatrics (March 15, 2015), Vol.15, No.31, published online.
Is dementia related to all anti-cholinergics or just GABA-enhancing ones?