Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
April 19, 2016, 23:05 World Journal Reporter Song Linglan / Instant Report
From allergies to insomnia, there seems to be a pill for almost every problem. In our quest to relieve discomfort, we often overlook potential side effects. However, new research shows that anticholinergic drugs are linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
You may not have heard of this class of drugs, but you’ve likely heard of allergy medication Benadryl, painkiller Demerol, cough syrup Dimetapp, motion sickness drug Dramamine, antidepressant Paxil, sleep aid Unisom, or bladder control medication VESIcare. Some of these drugs are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. They are also used to treat various chronic conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine examined 451 individuals with an average age of 74, all of whom were taking at least one medication containing anticholinergic ingredients. Cognitive tests revealed that those taking anticholinergic drugs performed the worst in short-term memory. Certain executive functions, such as verbal reasoning, planning, and problem-solving, also showed poorer performance.
Brain scans measuring glucose metabolism—a marker of brain activity—showed lower levels in those taking anticholinergic drugs. Additionally, their brain volume was smaller, and their ventricles (the cavities in the brain) were larger.
Source: http://udn. com/ news/ story/ 9/ 1640706
Common Over-the-Counter Drugs May Harm the Brain
From allergies to insomnia, there seems to be a pill for almost every problem. In our quest to relieve discomfort, we often overlook potential side effects. However, new research shows that anticholinergic drugs are linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
You may not have heard of this class of drugs, but you’ve likely heard of allergy medication Benadryl, painkiller Demerol, cough syrup Dimetapp, motion sickness drug Dramamine, antidepressant Paxil, sleep aid Unisom, or bladder control medication VESIcare. Some of these drugs are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. They are also used to treat various chronic conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine examined 451 individuals with an average age of 74, all of whom were taking at least one medication containing anticholinergic ingredients. Cognitive tests revealed that those taking anticholinergic drugs performed the worst in short-term memory. Certain executive functions, such as verbal reasoning, planning, and problem-solving, also showed poorer performance.
Brain scans measuring glucose metabolism—a marker of brain activity—showed lower levels in those taking anticholinergic drugs. Additionally, their brain volume was smaller, and their ventricles (the cavities in the brain) were larger.
Source: http://udn. com/ news/ story/ 9/ 1640706