A List of Drugs Linked to Dementia

Written by Nicole Rowe, MD | Reviewed by Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Updated on February 11, 2025print_outlinedemail_outlined

Key takeaways:

Certain medications are linked to an increased risk of dementia. But that doesn’t mean they necessarily cause dementia.
Medications that have been associated with increased risk of dementia include overactive bladder medications, pain medications, heartburn medications, and certain anxiety medications.
The risk of dementia with these medications increases when you take higher doses over longer periods of time.

Anticholinergic medications

PPIs

Pain medications

Benzodiazepines

FAQs

Bottom line

References

A senior woman looks unhappy at home. Armand Burger/E+ via Getty Images

Dementia is a growing concern among many aging people in the U.S. — especially Alzheimer’s disease. And since treatment options for dementia are limited, prevention is key.

Dementia risk is tied to common things like diabetes, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity. But some common medications are associated with dementia risk, too. Here are four common drug classes linked to dementia, and what the research says about your risk.

1. Anticholinergic medications

Anticholinergic medications block a chemical called acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine works like a chemical messenger in the nervous system. It affects learning, memory, movement, and even emotions. And people with Alzheimer’s disease often have low levels of acetylcholine in their bodies.

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In one large study of almost 300,000 people, the risk of dementia was significantly higher in those who had taken the highest cumulative doses of strong anticholinergic medications. Another large study in adults over 65 years old confirmed these findings. Other studies have shown that the use of an anticholinergic medication can worsen dementia in people who are already experiencing cognitive decline.

But not all studies have such clear-cut findings. For example, even though diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has strong anticholinergic activity, current research isn’t clear on whether diphenhydramine increases the risk of dementia.

Some common anticholinergic medications include antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, medications for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and overactive bladder medications. You may want to take this risk into account if you’re deciding whether to take these medications.