Is Your Medication Messing With Your Memory?

Have you or a loved one ever blamed forgetfulness on aging, only to wonder if something else might be at play?

The truth is, memory loss doesn’t always come from getting older. Sometimes, it’s coming from your medicine cabinet.

At GeriatRx, we help families get to the root of issues like brain fog, confusion, and forgetfulness—and time and time again, the culprit isn’t age. It’s medications.

When the Cure Becomes the Cause

Most people don't realize how many common prescriptions can interfere with brain function. According to AARP, a wide range of medications—particularly those taken for sleep, anxiety, allergies, and even incontinence—have been linked to cognitive decline. Some of the most common offenders include:

• Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, diazepam): Often prescribed for anxiety or insomnia, but shown to increase dementia risk.

• Anticholinergics (e.g., diphenhydramine/Benadryl, oxybutynin): Found in allergy meds and bladder treatments; these block a key brain chemical (acetylcholine) essential for memory.

• Opioids (e.g., oxycodone, morphine): Known to impair attention, reasoning, and short-term memory—especially with long-term use.

• Sleep aids (including some over-the-counter “PM” drugs): Often include antihistamines with sedative effects that dull cognitive function.

Even “harmless” meds taken for minor symptoms can slowly erode mental clarity, especially in older adults who may be more sensitive to side effects.

Polypharmacy: The Silent Risk Factor

Memory loss is often brushed off as “normal” with age, but polypharmacy—a term for taking five or more medications at once—is becoming a leading cause of unnecessary cognitive decline.

According to CDC data, nearly 4 in 10 older adults take five or more medications regularly. At GeriatRx, we've seen clients on 10–15 prescriptions, many of which interact with each other in ways their prescribers never fully anticipated.

It’s not just the number of medications—it’s the combinations, the dosages, and how long they’ve been used.

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Did you know? According to the CDC, nearly 40% of adults over age 65 take five or more prescription medications daily—and 12% take ten or more. This growing trend, called polypharmacy, significantly increases the risk of medication-related memory problems, falls, and hospitalizations. 📌 Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, 2020

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Deprescribing: A Smarter, Safer Approach

This is where deprescribing comes in.

Deprescribing is the process of systematically reviewing medications and reducing or stopping those that may no longer be beneficial—or worse, may be causing harm. This isn’t about stopping meds cold turkey. It’s about partnering with your healthcare team to thoughtfully taper off what’s no longer necessary, replacing certain drugs with safer options or lifestyle interventions.

At GeriatRx, our pharmacist-led deprescribing process includes:

• A comprehensive medication review to assess what’s helping—and what’s hurting

• Collaboration with your providers to ensure safe transitions

• Ongoing monitoring for withdrawal effects or symptom recurrence

• Family education to support informed decision-making

The goal? Better health outcomes with fewer pills—and clearer thinking.

Real-Life Results: What Happens When We Deprescribe

We recently worked with a client who had been experiencing confusion, drowsiness, and difficulty with basic tasks. Her family thought she might be developing dementia. But during our review, we discovered she was taking:

• A nightly sedating antihistamine for sleep

• Two benzodiazepines (prescribed by different providers)

• A bladder control medication with strong anticholinergic effects

With her physician’s support, we helped her taper off these meds, one at a time. Within weeks, her family noticed major improvements: she was more alert, more engaged in conversations, and more like herself again.

Memory Loss Doesn’t Have to Be Inevitable

It’s easy to assume memory loss is just a part of aging. But if you—or someone you care for—has recently started forgetting names, missing appointments, or feeling mentally “foggy,” it might be time to look deeper.

Start by asking:

• Has there been a recent change in medications?

• Are we treating symptoms that could be managed differently?

• Is the benefit of each medication still outweighing the risk?

These are the kinds of questions we help families answer every day.

When to Seek a Deprescribing Consultation

If any of the following apply, it may be time to consult with a deprescribing specialist:

• You or your loved one takes 5 or more medications daily

• You’re seeing new symptoms like confusion, balance issues, or drowsiness

• You’ve experienced a recent fall, hospital stay, or ER visit

• Your medications haven’t been reviewed in over a year

Even if nothing seems wrong, a preventive medication checkup can uncover hidden risks before they become dangerous.

Let’s Reclaim Clarity, Together

You don’t have to accept cognitive decline as an unavoidable part of life. Sometimes, clarity is just a conversation away.

At GeriatRx, we believe in restoring health by removing what no longer serves. That includes the medications that may be silently doing more harm than good.

Let us help you—or a loved one—make sense of your medication list and reclaim your memory, one smart step at a time.

Ready to Get Started?Book a personalized medication review today. Our pharmacist-led team will walk you through every step and collaborate with your providers to ensure a safe, supported transition.

🔎 Visit www.geriatrx.com to learn more or schedule a free consult.