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Effects of Drugs Mistaken for Dementia
Updated 8:22 PM ET August 31, 2000
LONDON (Reuters) - Prescription and over-the-counter drugs used to relieve Parkinson's disease, depression, allergies and migraine can produce side-effects that could be mistaken for dementia in the elderly, researchers said Friday.

They said elderly patients may be diagnosed and treated for senility when they are suffering from the side-effects of medication.

The drugs, known as anticholinergics, can cause confusion, memory loss, disorientation and blurred vision. Unsteadiness and a rapid heartbeat can also occur.

The elderly are most at risk of the side effects as their metabolism is less efficient and the drugs remain in their systems longer.

The symptoms from one drug may be small but the elderly often take several medicines which could increase the risk of "anticholinergic load."

"Informing patients and carriers about potential side-effects is of great importance," Dr Jacob Mintzer, of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, said in a report in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

"Difficulties with side-effects are likely to result in poorer treatment outcomes and are a major cause of non-compliance," he added.

Mintzer and the co-author of the report, Alistair Burns of the University of Manchester, said if a patient complained of symptoms, doctors and carriers should be aware that they could be caused by medication.

They said patients should not be taken off the drugs too quickly because they could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. They also urged doctors to avoid combinations of anticholinergic drugs.

"For most drugs with anticholinergic potential an alternative is available," said Mintzer.

"No drug should be introduced without careful assessment of existing medications and symptoms," he added.

Antihistamines in cold and flu medications, indigestion tablets and sleeping pills can also cause anticholinergic side effects.

Anticholinergic drugs block the activity of acetylcholine, a substance that mediates the transmission of nerve impulses.