When Combined, the Cumulative Effect Significantly Increases the Risk of Death
Common drugs used to treat allergies, depression, insomnia, urinary incontinence, heartburn, heart disease and even painkillers have been found to accelerate dementia and increase the risk of death when taken in combination. In a study that analyzed data collected over a 20-year period, researchers in England recently published their study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society on the danger of combining drugs that are prescribed including those over the counter.
The drugs they focused on block a very important chemical in the nervous system called acetylcholine. One drug alone has its own risks, but when multiple drugs are suppressing acetylcholine big troubles can begin. Previous research has shown that acetylcholine-blocking drugs have a harmful impact on the brain.
This is the first study to examine the cumulative effects of these medications over a 20-year period. They found that mixing 2 or more of these drugs had a significant increase on a patient’s chance of death.
Who would think that anti-histamines, anti-depressants and incontinence drugs have a side-effect that affects memory? Ian Maidment, one of the researchers and a pharmacist at Kent University said “with dementia, these drugs are particularly risky in the early stages, which we call mild cognitive impairment, where the brain is just at a tipping point. This extra insult can tip people over or worsen dementia.”
If a person 65 years and older was taking one high risk and one low risk drug they had a 20% chance of dying within two years compared to 7% who did not take anything. The study also concluded that the risk of dying increased by 25% for each additional acetylcholine-blocking drug taken.
Classified among the most dangerous of the acetylcholine-blocker drugs is chlorphenamine which is found in these anti-histamines:
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Another dangerous acetylcholine-blocker is in the anti-depressant paroxetine, used in:
- Paxil Seroxat
- Aropax Sereupin
One more dangerous source is the incontinence drug oxybutynin used in Ditropan.
Lower risk drugs that block acetylcholine are the heartburn drug ranitidine found in Zantac, the beta blocker Atenolol and the painkiller codeine.
According to the study if a person 65 or older is taking an over the counter anti-histamine and anti-heartburn medication they stand a 13% increased risk of dying within 2 years compared to a person who is not taking any medications. If you add an anti-depressant or anti-incontinence drug that risk jumps another 25%.
Beware if you or someone you know relies on over the counter medications. There can be a cumulative effect and your doctor should know about everything you are taking. The important take away from this study is that it is based on data collected over a 20 year period!
For more information on the study and a video interview of one of the researchers.
There is a healthy alternative to antihistamines that is ultimately more effective because you won’t need to take them once your allergy is resolved. It is possible to successfully treat substances that cause allergies.
Urinary incontinence can be improved by strategic brain exercises that turn up the signals to the tiny muscles that control the bladder.
Hopefully you, your family and friends will benefit from the findings of this long term study.
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