As we age, we start losing most of our body functions, including the capacity to remember. Memory loss is associated with age due to the reduced ability of our brain to create neurons and maintain the electrical connections within.
Some of the main symptoms of memory loss are forgetting simple things like where did you put your keys down and having trouble recalling recent or past events. Although the problem is related to aging, alcohol abuse, smoking and using certain drugs can accelerate the process. Head injuries, brain vascular events, lack of sleep and vitamin B12 deficiency can be responsible as well.
What many people don’t know is that memory loss and even Alzheimer’s disease are also related to the use of certain medications. Continue reading below to see what medications you should immediately stop taking in order to protect your brain from damage and prevent neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Estatines such as Lescol, Lipitor and Pravastatin are usually prescribed for high cholesterol levels. However, they’ve also been found to increase the risk of amnesia as they reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body and brain as well, so it might be best to avoid them.
Xanax, Diazepam and Lorazepam are the most popular benzodiazepines, drugs taken to control anxiety, irritability and muscular spasms. These drugs can seriously raise the risk of amnesia which is why they should be avoided.
Antidepressants such as Anafranil, Trofanil and Elavil have a big impact on the function of our brain and have been related to amnesia and other neurological problems.
Anticonvulsants such as Tegretol, Diamox or Keppra can cause memory loss as a side-effect, so it’s best to stay away from them.
Taking pills such as Sonata or Ambien frequently can cause memory loss and amnesia.
OxyContin, Duragesic and Astramorph can numb the pain in your body, but they may also cause memory loss and bigger problems.
Antihistamines are the usually prescribed drug against allergies, but they’ve also been associated with memory loss. The antihistamines you should stay away from are Tavist, Clistin and Dimetane.