Study finds certain allergy drugs can shrink your brain

For many of us, the warm springtime air and blooming trees and flowers mean one thing — unbearable allergies.

But before you run down to the CVS or your doctor’s office for some meds, there’s an important warning you need to hear.

Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine have found that while certain allergy drugs can help open a clogged nose, they may also be shrinking your brain.

That’s right, shrinking your brain.

And that’s something that could put you on the fast track to dementia – and even Alzheimer’s.

Since these particular types of meds are sold by the truckload at any drug or convenience store, there’s a very good chance that at least one of them is sitting in your medicine cabinet right now.

The incredible shrinking brain

“I certainly wouldn’t advise my grandparents or even my parents to take these medications unless they have to.”

That’s what lead researcher Shannon Risacher had to say about a class of drugs called “anticholinergics.”

They’re frequently used to relieve allergies and colds (I’ll give you a list of brand names in a second), but more and more research is proving they can do permanent damage to your brain.

A study last year found that taking anticholinergics for just a couple months can impair your ability to think and remember things.

And, over time, these meds can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s by a whopping 63 percent.

Now, thanks to this new study from Indiana University, we know why.

Researchers looked at brain scans for more than 450 people between the ages of 70 and 75. And it turns out that those who used anticholinergics actually had smaller brains.

It was as if their brains were shrinking and wasting away on the drugs – and brain shrinkage is a classic early warning sign for Alzheimer’s.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the drug users did worse on tests to measure short-term memory, reasoning, planning and problem solving.

All that to treat a runny nose or watery eyes! You’ve got to be kidding!

Some of the common allergy meds that are considered anticholinergics include:

• Diphenhydramine, better known under the brand name Benadryl,
• Chlorpheniramine, which you can find sold as Chlor-Trimeton,
• Clemastine, well-known as Tavist, and,
• Hydroxyzine, familiar as the long-time bestseller Atarax.

And it’s not just allergy drugs! Other meds in the same class include such classics as the overactive bladder drug Oxytrol, Dramamine for nausea and Tylenol PM.

For a more complete list of anticholinergics, click here.

If you find a med you’re taking on the list, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about switching to something else.

And remember that natural remedies like butterbur and goldenseal have both been proven effective for seasonal allergy relief.

Sources:
“Common allergy and cold medicines shrink brain, could lead to Alzheimer’s, study finds” Douglas Perry, April 18, 2016, The Oregonian, oregonlive.com