7 Common Medications That Can Cause Memory Loss

Some commonly used medications have been linked to memory problems and serious forgetfulness.

Types: Examples of benzodiazepines include:

• Ativan (lorazepam)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Valium (diazepam)
• Restoril (temazepam)

Effect on memory: Benzodiazepines are known to affect memory function. Specifically, they can cause mild short-term memory loss that improves once the medication is stopped.

Research also suggests that long-term use of benzodiazepines may increase the risk of dementia, a group of brain diseases that affect memory, cognition and behavior in older adults.

Alternatives: If you’re taking a benzodiazepine and experiencing memory problems, talk to your doctor about potential alternatives.

Alternatives vary depending on the condition you are taking them for. For example, if you are taking a benzodiazepine for anxiety, you and your doctor may consider switching your treatment to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). You can also discuss non-drug therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Types: Common examples of anti-epileptic drugs include:

• Lamictal (lamotrigine)
• Topamax (topiramate)
• Tegretol (carbamazepine)
• Vimpat (lacosamide)
• Keppra (levetiracetam)

Effect on memory: Because antiepileptic drugs work by calming brain activity, they may affect normal brain function. This can lead to difficulty remembering things, paying attention, or concentrating. This may go away over time as your body gets used to the medication, but in other cases it does not.

Drowsiness and concentration side effects caused by anticonvulsants can affect your short-term memory, making it difficult to absorb and store new information. These side effects may be more likely if you take high doses or more than one type of antiepileptic medication.

Alternatives: Switching to another anticonvulsant medication may help reduce memory loss because some medications are less likely than others to cause drowsiness or other cognitive side effects. Other ways to treat seizures include dietary interventions, surgery, and deep brain stimulation.

Types: Examples of opioids include:

• Oxycontine (oxycodone)
• Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen)
• MS Contin (morphine)
• Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen)
• Dilaudid (hydromorphone)

Effect on memory: Opioids are known to interfere with the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and learning.

They can also change the levels of certain chemicals in your body involved in cognitive function. Research has also shown that people who use opioids are at higher risk of developing dementia than people who do not use them.

Alternatives: Alternatives to opioids may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Tylenol (acetaminophen), anticonvulsants, antidepressants, topical pain relievers, and muscle relaxants.

Types: TCA medications include:

• Elavil (amitriptyline)
• Pamelor (nortriptyline)
• Silenor (doxepin)
• Tofranil (imipramine)

Effect on memory: TCAs change the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

They also have anticholinergic effects, meaning TCAs block acetylcholine, a chemical messenger involved in memory and learning. These mechanisms can lead to memory problems, even if TCA is taken at the recommended dosage.

Alternatives: If you experience memory problems while taking a TCA, talk to a doctor. They may recommend alternative treatments. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) do not have the same anticholinergic effects as TCAs. However, research is mixed on whether they can cause memory loss.

Types: Here are examples of FGA:

• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
• Dramamine (dimenhydrinate)
• Phenergan (promethazine)

Here are examples of SGA:

• Zyrtec (cetirizine)
• Allegra (fexofenadine)
• Claritin (loratadine)

Effect on memory: Research shows that antihistamines are linked to an increased risk of dementia, with FGAs having a higher risk than SGAs.

Alternatives: Although both FGA and SGA can increase the risk of dementia, the risk is lower with SGA because it does not enter the brain as easily. Your doctor can recommend whether an SGA is right for you.

Types: Sleeping pills that may affect memory include:

• Lunesta (eszopiclone)
• Sonata (zaleplon)
• Ambien (zolpidem)

Effect on memory: A 2023 study showed that sleeping pills increased the risk of dementia in white people. Another 2021 study found that sleeping pills can negatively impact prospective memory, or the ability to remember to do something in the future.

Alternatives: Instead of sleeping pills, melatonin can help with insomnia. There are also healthy sleep and lifestyle habits that can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Types: Overactive bladder anticholinergics may include:

• Sanctura (trospium)
• Ditropane (oxybutynin)
• Enablex (darifenacin)
• Vesicare (solifenacin)
• Detrol (tolterodine)

Effect on memory: Research has shown that anticholinergic medications for overactive bladder may increase the risk of dementia. They can also negatively affect parts of cognition, such as working memory, which is the ability to remember information over a short period of time.

Alternatives: If you experience memory loss while taking incontinence medication, talk to your doctor. They can determine if your medication is the cause and discuss other ways to treat your overactive bladder symptoms. This may include switching to different medications, such as Myrbetriq (mirabegron) or Gemtesa (vibegron), or implementing bladder retraining and pelvic floor strengthening exercises.

Other factors may put you at higher risk for medication-related memory problems. These include:

• Taking higher doses of medications
• Taking medications long term
• Being of an older age
• Taking multiple medications at once

In fact, a 2021 study found that older adults who took three or more medications with cognitive side effects were more likely to report confusion and memory loss.