Prescription drugs kill more than 100,000 people and lead to more than 1.5 million people hospitalized for serious side effects. Adverse drug reactions are the leading cause of death in the United States. Every prescription has certain risks, but one of the most common side effects is memory loss.
3 types of drugs that cause memory loss
Any prescription drug falls into one of three categories that can cause memory loss and many other cognitive problems.
- “Anti” drugs
Every drug that starts with “anti,” including antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, antispasmodics, antibiotics, and antihypertensives, will affect your acetylcholine levels.
Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. Low levels of acetylcholine can cause delirium, mental confusion, blurred vision, hallucinations, memory loss, and mental retardation.