Bladder Drugs Have Effect on Mental Faculties

Q. I read with interest an article you wrote about bladder drugs causing cognitive decline. My husband is taking Detrol LA. I have noticed increasing confusion, such as what day it is, not remembering conversations and not being able to keep the checkbook balanced. He is 73 and takes a number of medicines for his other medical problems. I’d appreciate any information you can provide about medicines that cause confusion.
A. Bladder drugs are notorious for causing memory problems or confusion in older people, but they are not the only ones. Many other medications, including some antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, paroxetine), antihistamines (Benadryl, diphenhydramine, loratadine), heartburn drugs (cimetidine, ranitidine, metoclopramide) and heart drugs (diltiazem, furosemide, nifedipine), may also cause trouble (Archives of Internal Medicine, March 10, 2008).
We are sending you our newly revised Guide to Drugs and Older People for a more complete discussion of medicines that may be inappropriate for seniors. No one should ever stop medicine without consulting a physician!