Feedback on Drugs that Cause Memory Loss, page 7

Memory Loss Forum

If you think your memory loss was caused by a medication, please share your experience.

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Taking three blood pressure meds at the same time
Date: 5/15/2011
My mom has been taking blood pressure medicine for a while, and recently, her doctor put her on a THIRD one. Hydrochlorothiazide, atenolol, and diovan. My grandpa was taking the same ones and he ended up with dimentia. My mom is now showing signs of dimentia such as confusion in familiar places. I’ve been researching a LOT and the whole time, these drugs are my top suspect. I can’t stand seeing my mom like this. It hurts so much. Why do doctors prescribe THREE bp meds when all three are NOT necessary? your comments on these drugs are GREATLY appreciated!

Steve

AskDocWeb: The bad news is that your subject is off-topic for this forum, which is supposed to be about memory loss. However, we let this one slip through. The good news is that her doctor is not likely to prescribe a fourth medication for her blood pressure. Once a patient is taking three meds for blood pressure, additional pills are unlikely to work and are more likely to cause side effects.

Will the memory loss disappear?
Date: 6/3/2011
Hi, I have been taking antidepressants, largely SSRis for the past 20yrs. 3 yrs ago I began taking Effexor 75mg, then went to 150mg, then had another episode and was put on 600mg of lithium and 250mg of Effexor, then 8 weeks ago I went onto 900mg of lithium and 300mg of effexor…. my head is foggy and I forget mid sentence my subject, vocabulary, where I put things, etc etc… its a worry to me. I was forgetful when only taking 150mg of effexor and looked up early stages of Alzeimers on line. So its probably my meds. looking at the comments above but will the memory loss disappear if I were to stop taking them? Thanks.

Louise

AskDocWeb: Do not discontinue the use of any prescription drug without your doctor’s approval. Long-term memory loss is listed as one of the withdrawal effects of Effexor. However, some patients claim that their cognitive functioning improved or returned to normal after discontinuing these drugs. Be aware that improvement may take place over several months.

Does Xanax cause memory loss?
Date: 6/22/2011
I have been on xanax, 8 mg a day for 5-6-years. Is this what is causing my memory loss?

James

AskDocWeb: About one third of those taking Xanax report some kind of memory problem or memory loss.

What is the best medication for OCD?
Date: 8/7/2011
Is luvox still considered the best med for ocd —my friend uses celexa and does ok with it—luvox seems to not be used as frequently anymore.

Josh

AskDocWeb: No single medication has emerged as “generally superior” to others in the treatment of OCD. There are only about five medications specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. They are Luvox (fluvoxamine), Anafranil (clomipramine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline). Prozac and Zoloft are probably prescribed the most for OCD. The key is to try one and see what its effects are, which takes about two weeks.

When the above drugs don’t work very well there are other drugs that may be taken with the above meds to increase their effects:

  • Abilify (aripiprazole)
  • BuSpar (buspirone)
  • Depakote (divalproex)
  • Gabatril (topiramate)
  • Geodon (ziprasidone)
  • Klonopin (clonazepam)
  • Lamictal (lamotrigine)
  • Neurontin (gabapentin)
  • Remeron (mirtazapine)
  • Risperdal (risperidone)
  • Seroquel (quetiapine)
  • Topamax (topiramate)
  • Zyprexa (olanzapine)

The dosage level of the above medications are typically adjusted over time to find the optimum dosage.

Memory loss is some what horrifying
Date: 8/17/2011
About 10/12 years on Metformin. Can’t remember. Hi all, I’m 57 now. Final stage of LADA. I can’t remember if I noted my memory loss when I started on Glucophage. I’m very in tune to my Body so, I suspect I might have. I know I’ve acknowledged it for most of the time I was on it. In the years before switching to insulin, I would have spells in the shower where I couldn’t remember what phase I was in. It was some what horrifying. I thought I was getting dementia at 55 years old! Those spells mostly disappeared when I went off it. My Nurse/Dr. ho hummed my complaints. I sure feel like a victim. It’s not fun at all. I would suggest a civil suite. If I had to compare memory loss. Losing a leg would be a toss up. You just don’t know what you’ve lost until it’s gone and your memory is vital.

Jason

Severe memory loss
Date: 10/10/2011
i take four tupe of drugs for depression and have severe memory loss and cannot pay attention, Drugs taken, Abilify, Lamictal, fluoxetine, armour thyroid, zolpidem, seroquel Diezapam. Please any help will be aprreciated.

Steve

AskDocWeb: Since you are taking several medications that are known to affect memory you may want to discuss this with your doctor and ask about alternatives.

Could this lead to Alzheimer’s disease?
Date: 1/3/2012
Is it possible that all these drugs that cause memory loss and that so many people are on them, that this could be causing alzheimers disease down the road?

Fran

AskDocWeb: That is a good question. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not well understood and the fact is, we just don’t know – yet. Scientists are still trying to determine what causes Alzheimer’s disease. However, they are making progress. Just last year scientists at the University of California found that certain peptides caused brain cells to absorb high levels of calcium ions, which eventually killed the neurons needed for memory. This is significant because medication was developed on the theory that those peptides were non-toxic and that theory has now been proven false. What this means for consumers is that some of the drugs being used to treat Alzheimer’s could actually cause the brain damage and memory loss that they are intended to treat. On the positive side the scientist’s research also opens the door for the development of new and more effective medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

It seems likely that the effects of drugs that have an impact on memory have an additive effect on those taking multiple drugs.

This issue may be more wide spread than previously thought. An article in the Huffington Post has a long list of over-the-counter and prescription meds that can affect memory. These include antacids, antiarrythmics, antibiotics, antidepressants, antiemetics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory meds, anti-Parkinson’s drugs, antipsychotics, anti-seizure meds, antispasmotics, diabetics meds, diuretics, drugs for diarrhea, muscle relaxants, pain relievers, proton pump inhibitors, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. Even drugs used as eye drops to dilate pupils are on the list.

What is wrong here?
Date: 1/18/2012
I have epilepsy and also am taking 3 meds for it and 1 for depression. I am having trouble putting thoughts into words so they come out right. My memory is not what it should be I have forgotten things I used to do without thinking about. I am only 53. What is wrong here?

Sandy

AskDocWeb: There are different kinds of memory loss and cognition problems. If this interferes with your work, social life, or daily tasks, you may need a medical evaluation to assess your situation. Memory Loss Report – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – Page 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – Last Page 11