Some medications induce unpleasant and hazardous adverse effects. David Cutler, MD, a family care doctor in Santa Monica, California, thinks amnesia is a hazardous side effect.
Insomniacs.Chronic insomniacs may benefit from a sleep aid. Long-term use of sleep aids may cause memory loss and cognitive impairment,
Antidepressants repair brain chemical imbalances, lowering depression symptoms. Paroxetine (Paxil), amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), and nortriptyline may induce amnesia
Anti-incontinence drugs.Urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, asthma, and Parkinson's disease are treated with anticholinergics.
Anticholinergics like Benadryl and Claritin make patients sleepy and forgetful, adds Cutler.Long-term usage of these products has been connected to dementia.
High blood pressure in midlife may promote cognitive deterioration later in life. "Untreated high blood pressure may lead to a stroke," says Cutler.