Taking These Medications for Even a Short Time Spikes Your Dementia Risk

MULTIPLE STUDIES HAVE LINKED THIS CLASS OF MEDS TO DEMENTIA, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT.

Your risk of developing dementia is determined by a wide range of factors—some of which you can control, and others you can't. Your family history, for instance, is simply the luck of the draw, and much as you might wish to, you can't change your age. On the other hand, things like your diet, alcohol intake, and medication use are considered modifiable.

A new report warns that taking one type of medication in particular may put you at increased risk of later developing dementia—and that's hardly its only drawback. Read on to learn which commonly prescribed medications may be putting you at risk, and why even short-term use can cause a problem.

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A new report raises concerns about a certain class of drugs.
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A 2021 report published by Psychiatric Times warns that benzodiazepines—commonly known as "benzos"—have been linked with a high risk of dementia. Certain psychoactive drugs used to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, such as Klonopin, Valium, Librium, and Ativan—as well as their generic forms and certain other drugs—are all classified as benzodiazepines.

"Although there are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) looking at the association between benzodiazepine use and the risk for dementia, six prospective cohort studies, six case control studies, and one retrospective cohort study explore the relationship," the report says. Of the 13 studies mentioned in the report, eight showed a positive association between benzodiazepine use and dementia, and two more showed mixed or inconclusive results. The remaining studies found no discernible link.

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One study found that even "short-term use" of benzos was linked to higher dementia risk.
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A 2016 study published in BMJ and cited in the report looked specifically at how long patients used benzodiazepines as it related to cognitive outcomes. The researchers found that short-term use of this class of drug was associated with developing dementia. "It remains uncertain whether long term use is associated with global cognitive decline," the study authors wrote. This complicates the widely held notion that benzodiazepines are considered safe for short-term use, a period typically defined as two to four weeks for this particular drug.

Benzodiazepine use can cause other worrisome side effects.
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Experts warn that benzodiazepines have long been linked with a wide range of potentially serious side effects. "These drugs are associated with many deleterious effects, including falls, fractures, traffic incidents, and delirium," explains the BMJ study.

Additionally, benzos are known to cause drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, loss of motor control, slurred speech, slowed breathing, muscle weakness, and more. However, you should not attempt to discontinue use on your own. Speak to your doctor for guidance on how to safely wean yourself from benzodiazepines.

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These meds put users at high risk of addiction.
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Experts warn that in addition to raising dementia risk and triggering other side effects, benzos can also be habit forming. "Benzodiazepines work by slowing down nerve activity in the brain and the rest of the central nervous system, thereby diffusing stress and its physical and emotional side effects," explains the American Addiction Centers. In addition to their tranquilizing effects, benzodiazepines are known to release "dopamine in the brain, which is the chemical messenger involved in reward and pleasure. The brain may learn to expect the regular doses of benzos after a few weeks of taking them and therefore stop working to produce these chemicals on its own without them."

Thanks to their addictive properties and many doctors' willingness to over-prescribe the drug, many users have become dependent on benzodiazepines. Speak with your doctor if you believe you're experiencing negative side effects of benzos, or if you've developed drug-seeking behaviors surrounding their use.

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