Q. Our father is taking medicine for an enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, heartburn, allergies, cough and postnasal drip. A partial list of his drugs include Avodart, doxazosin, hydroxyzine, ipratropium, Nexium, sertraline, promethazine plus codeine syrup and Tylenol PM.
Dad has developed depression and memory problems and we wonder if all these drugs could be causing his poor mental state.
A. Many of your father’s medications could be contributing to confusion and memory problems. Nighttime pain relievers like Tylenol PM contain diphenhydramine (Benadryl). This drug can affect the chemical acetylcholine, which is essential for normal brain function. Other medications that can alter this neurotransmitter include hydroxyzine, ipratropium, promethazine and codeine, as well as sertraline.
We are sending you our Guide to Drugs and Older People with lists of medications that impair memory and are dangerous for older people. Acid-suppressing drugs like Nexium, Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole) may make it hard to absorb vitamin B12. If this vitamin is lacking, cognitive function may be affected.
For a more in-depth overview of the mistakes that are often made when it comes to prescribing drugs to senior citizens we think you will find the information in our book, Top Screw-Ups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them, of great interest. Perhaps you could give a copy to his physician. It could change how your father is being treated.
