The hidden risk for cognitive decline is hiding in your medicine cabinet

A new study tells us that common, over-the-counter medications – several that are probably in your home right now – could contribute to cognitive decline. Benadryl, Genihist, Sominex, Sleepinal – these common OTC medications all have the same active ingedient, known as diphenhydramine hydrochloride. A recent study shows that this drug can be very dangerous for people ages 70 and over – even after just one dose.

Common drug increases risk of cognitive decline by 70 percent

In the study, doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital tracked the effects of diphenhydramine hydrochloride on 426 hospitalized patients who were at least 70 years old. (Diphenhydramine is often given in a hospital setting to help patients sleep.) None of the patients showed any history or signs of dementia or delirium before the drug was administered. The drug was given to 114 of the patients, while the remaining 312 were not medicated.

Within 48 hours of the drug administration, trained specialists evaluated each participant for signs of cognitive decline. These specialists did not know which patients had received the drug and which hadn’t – but the results speak for themselves. On every measure of cognitive decline, the diphenhydramine group fared much worse. Overall, the medicated group demonstrated a 70 percent increased risk of cognitive decline as compared to the controls. They also showed a significantly increased risk for decline in individual cognitive assessments, such as inattention, disorganized speech, altered level of consciousness, altered sleep-wake cycle, and behavioral disturbances.

The results also suggest that the treated patients’ delirium, even though temporary, led to even more health problems: This study found that a urinary catheter was required for more of the patients who received diphenhydramine, and that their length of stay in the hospital was significantly longer.

At-home dosage may be enough to cause problems

Despite these results, the authors report that diphenhydramine is often prescribed to the elderly while they are in the hospital or in care facilities. And that’s not even taking into account the dozens of OTC medications that contain this dangerous drug.

In the study, most of the patients (97 percent) received the drug orally, and, on average they received two doses. Dosages varied, but the maximum cumulative daily dose for any given patient was 100 mg. If you check the formulations on the drug store shelf, you’ll see that it’s not difficult to reach that mark in your own home. Most sleep aids contain 50 mg of diphenhydramine per pill, while most allergy and cold remedies contain 24 mg.

If you need to be in the hospital for a few days, tell your doctors you don’t want to be given diphenhydramine. And if you take OTC or prescription medicines to combat colds, allergies, or sleeplessness, check the label for the active ingredients. With this study in mind, living with the symptoms you’re trying to treat might be the optimal choice.

Better yet, try some natural, safe alternatives for your condition. In this month’s issue of the Member’s Alert newsletter, we told you about Kan Jang, an Ayurvedic formula made from an Indian shrub that can help prevent and treat the common cold with some amazing results. It’s available from iHerb at 888-792-0028 or online at iHerb.com. In the October issue, HSI panelist Dr. Allan Spreen told you about ImmunoMax Allergy formula, which can relieve allergy symptoms with its blend of natural antihistamines like vitamin C, MSM, and quercetin. You can order ImmunoMax Allergy from NorthStar Nutritionals by calling 1-800-311-1950 or visiting their website at www.northstarvitamins.com. And in the March 2001 issue, we wrote about how the Chinese herbal blend jiaogulan can help you fall asleep and wake up feeling rested. Jiaogulan is available in pill form and as a tea. To order, call Jagulana at 1-888-465-3686.

Let’s face it – most of those medications for allergies, colds, and insomnia only temporarily mask symptoms, so any increased risk of something as serious as cognitive decline certainly isn’t worth the limited benefits.

We’ll keep you posted as additional research is done on this and other OTC ingredients that may do much more harm than good.

Source:
Arch Intern Med 2001;161:2091-2097

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