Some OTC Medications Can Cause Potential Memory Harm

Over-the-counter medications look innocent enough, but some, which are harmful to memory, alertness and thinking, masquerade under the disguise of many different brand names. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, which scientists developed decades ago for the treatment of allergies. Since then, safer antihistamines have come onto the market, but diphenhydramine is still the main ingredient in sleep aids, many travel-sickness medications and nighttime cold and flu remedies such as Nyquil® and Tylenol® Cold and Flu products.

Diphenhydramine and similar drugs cause side effects that are counterproductive to preserving good brain function. In fact, the medications used to help improve memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease work in the opposite way of drugs like diphenhydramine. Avoiding diphenhydramine is not easy because it can appear in many products marketed for different purposes. In fact, it would be easy to take a double dose of diphenhydramine without realizing it.

(All of the OTC products pictured contain diphenhydramine.)

In addition to diphenhydramine, some of the other OTC medications that can impair judgment and harm memory are Dramamine® (dimenhydranate), Midol® (pyrilamine maleate and caffeine) and Chlor-Trimeton® (chlorpheniramine maleate). When taking an OTC product, pay close attention to the 'active ingredients' listed in small print on the package and try to avoid products that would impair thinking. Scientists are discovering that the longer you use these products (the more days, months, years), the greater your risk of permanent thinking impairment.

Empowering yourself or those you care for with the knowledge and practices leading to safe medication use is the best way to avoid unnecessary medication-related harm.

Sources:

'Pharmaceutical Care of the Older Patient,' by MA Zagaria, US Pharmacist 2000, 25(2):94-95. American Diabetes Association website.

'Drug-related Morbidity and Mortality: Updating the Cost of Illness Model,' by FR Ernst and AJ Grizzie, American Pharmacists' Association 2001; 41:192.

University of Louisiana polypharmacy initiative official website (www.polypharmacyinitiative.com)

Demetra Antimisiaris is associate professor at the University of Louisville Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine.