What Drugs Are Known to Cause Memory Loss?

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Cause

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  As a person ages, her kidneys and liver are less effective at breaking down drugs and removing them from the body. These medications remain active, interacting and leading to memory loss.

Types

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  Many drugs can cause memory loss: anti-anxiety and sleep medications; bladder control medicines; heartburn medications; steroids; and a whole host of medicines prescribed for cancer, high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, and pain. OTC cold and allergy remedies can also cause memory loss.

Duration

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  Most of these drugs cause short-term memory loss. However, continued use can lead to long-term memory loss.

Considerations

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  In some cases, memory loss occurs when two or more drugs interact. The more medicines you take, the higher your risk for drug-drug interactions.

Tips

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  Your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist can perform medication reconciliation, a process that begins with a complete list of your medicines. The provider then checks for side effects and drug-drug interactions that can lead to memory loss.