Common drugs are associated with an increased risk of dementia and death in elderly

UK, June 24, 2011

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Researchers at the University of East Anglia conducted studies and found that “Some medications used for common diseases are being associated with an increased risk of dementia or death in elderly patients.”

The research was conducted with more than 13 000 people over 65 years old.

They found that “Almost half were taking a group of drugs known as anticholinergic used to treat diseases such as asthma, cystitis, depression and epilepsy. Those who took the strongest dose of the drug had an increased risk of mental deterioration and death.”

Experts state that “patients should not panic or stop taking their medicine. It is need constant monitoring if they are using anticholinergic a long time.