How Medications Affect The Body As You Age

What Types of Medicines Might Affect My Brain Function?

Medications help treat many health conditions but can also affect how your brain functions. Normal changes in the body as you age may also increase the chances of medications affecting your brain.

In addition to changes in the body, chronic health conditions can complicate the effects of some medications. The National Institute on Aging estimates that 80% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

One way medications can affect your brain is by affecting your cognition. Cognition refers to your ability to understand, think, remember, and learn. Other effects of medications on the brain include dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, or loss of coordination.

Certain medications are more likely to affect cognition in older adults. The National Academy of Medicine published a report on cognitive aging and medications that can affect older adults and included the following common medications:

Anticholinergic Medications

Anticholinergic medications are often prescribed for conditions such as overactive bladder, gastrointestinal disorders, mental health disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

They may cause older adults to experience confusion, memory loss, and other cognitive problems. Some people mistake these problems for dementia.

Medications for Sleep or Anxiety

Sleep and anxiety medications include zolpidem and eszopiclone, as well as medicines known as benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam and clonazepam.

Older adults are more sensitive to the side effects of these medications. They may be more likely to experience confusion, memory loss, and balance changes that can increase the risk of falls.

Cold, Flu, and Allergy Medications

Many of these medicines are sold over the counter at your local pharmacy. Certain antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, can also be found in sleep aids and cold/flu products, which can cause drowsiness or slow your thinking.

Muscle Relaxants

Medications such as cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, or carisoprodol can cause confusion or make you feel groggy, in addition to increasing the risk of falls.

Opioid Pain Medications

Pain medications such as oxycodone and morphine are effective pain relievers, but they can cause drowsiness and cognitive problems. Your healthcare provider will likely start you on a lower dose and watch closely for side effects.

It is important to speak with your healthcare provider about the medications you take and their effects on your brain.

What Can I Do to Lower My Chance of Having Medicine-Related Problems?

A medication-related problem refers to an issue that keeps you from achieving the desired outcome from your medicines, such as side effects, drug interactions, or doses that are too high or too low.

Medication-related problems may also occur due to polypharmacy, which generally means a person is taking five or more medications. Polypharmacy increases the risk of drug interactions and medication complications.

Symptoms of a medication-related problem can include:

• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Falls
• Weight loss
• Insomnia
• Loss of coordination

Medication complications can lead to loss of independence, hospitalization, or even death. Fortunately, many medication-related problems are predictable and can be prevented.

Possible Long-Term Effects of Medications

Long-term medication effects can vary depending on the medication and the person. Some have good effects, and some are not so good. For chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or mental health issues, medications are essential. But using some drugs for too long may make them less effective or cause your body to rely on them.

Long-term use of certain medications can also bring about new health concerns. For example, if you take corticosteroids for a long time, it could weaken your bones, increase your risk of fractures, or raise your blood sugar levels, which could lead to diabetes. In some cases, long-term use could lead to problems like kidney issues or stomach trouble, especially with common medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Many medications might even impact your memory or increase the risk of dementia as you age. That’s why it’s important to regularly check in with your healthcare provider to discuss whether your medications are still the best option for you, keeping an eye on the benefits and potential risks.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your health, especially if you suddenly have problems with memory or thinking. These could be related to your medications. Catching issues early can prevent more serious problems in the future. If you’re starting a new medication, ask about potential side effects and how the medication might interact with what you’re already taking.

Taking Medications Safely as You Age

While medicines can help you live a longer and healthier life when taken correctly, they also can cause problems.

As you age, various changes in your body can affect how medications work, making it important to take medications safely. Your metabolism slows down, and your kidneys and liver may not work as well as they used to. These changes can cause medications to be cleared from your system more slowly or change how much drug is absorbed into your system. This can increase the risk of side effects, especially if you’re taking multiple medications. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose and slowly increase how much you take to try to avoid or lessen side effects.

It’s important to review your medications regularly with your healthcare provider to make sure they are still appropriate for your conditions. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Always follow the prescribed dosage and schedule, and consult your healthcare provider before stopping or changing a medication.

You can take steps to help lower your chances of medication-related problems:

• Keep an up-to-date medication record: A current medication record is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of medication-related problems. The record should include the name and strength of all the medications you are taking and how often you take them. Be sure to include any over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking.
• Communicate with your healthcare providers: Keeping an open line of communication with your healthcare providers can help reduce your risk of problems. Make sure you know what you are taking the medication for, how to tell if it’s working, and what side effects to watch out for.
• Take medicines as directed: For medications to be safe and effective, they must be taken at a particular dosage, at specified times, and for a specific period of time. Taking them other than how your doctor prescribes can increase your risk of side effects, or they may not work as well as they should.
• Have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy: This ensures that the pharmacist knows all the medications you are taking and can be alert to drugs that may interact with each other.
• Talk with a doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medications: Some over-the-counter medicines or supplements can interact with medications or cause problems if you have certain health issues, such as high blood pressure.
• Avoid running out of medications: It’s important to order your refills before your current supply is finished. If you need help getting to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription, ask if your pharmacy can deliver medications to your home.
• Keep a record of any adverse reactions you experience: This should include the name of the medication and the type of reaction you had.

If you have problems that might be related to aging and medications, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Maintaining Health Through Informed Medication Use

As you grow older, changes in your metabolism, organ function, and overall health can influence how your body responds to medications, making staying informed about your treatment more important than ever.

Never hesitate to discuss concerns like memory issues, dizziness, or other changes that could be related to your medications with your healthcare provider. This can keep you living a healthy, happy life as you age.