Page 117 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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Medications That Can Cause Cognitive Decline, Including Memory Loss

Severity of
Class of Names of Common Clinical Brain Toxicity in Memory
Medication Medications Indication High Doses Loss

Barbiturates phenobarbital Seizure disorder, Widespread Moderate
Fiorinal (combination migraine cognitive deficits
drug, includes
barbiturates)
Widespread Mild to
Anticonvulsants phenytoin (Dilantin) Seizure disorder
cognitive deficits moderate
Benzodiazepines diazepam (Valium) Anxiety, insomnia Poor concentration, Moderate
flurazepam memory loss,
(Dalmane) disorientation
lorazepam (Ativan)
Anticholinergic amitriptyline (Elavil) Depression, also Poor concentration, Moderate
antidepressants imipramine (Tofranil) given for memory loss,
headache disorientation
Anticholinergics Dramamine Seasickness Poor concentration, Mild to
Meclizine memory loss, moderate
Timolol (Timoptic) Glaucoma disorientation
eye drops
Steroids prednisone Autoimmune Depression, Highly
cortisone disorders anxiety, psychosis, variable
memory loss,
confusion
Antipsychotics chlorpromazine Psychotic illness, Poor concentration, Mild
(Thorazine) including memory loss
thioridazine (Mellaril) schizophrenia
Lithium lithium carbonate Manic-depressive Widespread Mild to
(Lithobid) illness cognitive deficits moderate
Narcotics morphine Severe pain due Widespread Mild to
oxycodone to cancer, heart cognitive deficits severe,
(Percodan, Percocet) disease, arthritis depending on
codeine agent
Antihypertensives propranolol (Inderal) High blood Mild cognitive Minimal
methyldopa pressure deficits
(Aldomet)
digitalis (digoxin, Mild cognitive
Digitalis Heart disease Minimal
Lanoxin) deficits
Histamine-2 cimetidine (Zantac) Peptic ulcer Poor concentration, Minimal to
antagonists ranitidine (Tagamet) disease, gastritis occasional memory mild
loss
diphenhydramine Hay fever, Poor concentration, Minimal to
Antihistamines
(Benadryl) allergies memory loss mild