The study found that consistent use of certain widely-prescribed medications for bladder disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and depression could significantly increase dementia risk in older adults
04:42 ET, 16 Dec 2025Updated 06:14 ET, 16 Dec 2025
People taking some medications were more likely to develop dementia, a study discovered(Image: Getty Images)
A study has revealed that commonly prescribed medications may increase the risk of dementia, according to scientific research. The research suggests that regular use of certain widely-prescribed drugs for bladder disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and depression could significantly raise the risk of dementia in older adults.
The study, carried out by experts at the University of Nottingham and supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), found nearly a 50% increased risk of dementia among patients over 55 who had taken strong anticholinergic drugs daily for three years or more.
Anticholinergic drugs, which work by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical that sends messages in the nervous system, are often prescribed for a variety of conditions. These include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder conditions, allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
While these medications can have short-term side effects such as confusion and memory loss, it is less clear whether their long-term use heightens the risk of dementia. A study led by Professor Carol Coupland from the University’s Division of Primary Care, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, aimed to investigate this further.
The study scrutinized the medical records of 58,769 patients diagnosed with dementia and 225,574 patients without a dementia diagnosis. All participants were aged 55 and over and registered with UK GPs contributing data to the QResearch database, between January 1, 2004, and January 31, 2016.
Earlier this year, Harvard Health highlighted another study led by Shelley Gray, a pharmacist at the University of Washington’s School of Pharmacy. This research tracked nearly 3,500 men and women aged 65 and older who participated in Adult Changes in Thought (ACT), a long-term study conducted by the University of Washington and Group Health, a Seattle healthcare system.
Participants’ health was monitored for an average of seven years. During that period, 800 volunteers developed dementia.
Upon examining the use of anticholinergic drugs, researchers discovered that individuals who used these drugs were more likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t. Furthermore, the risk of dementia increased with the cumulative dose.
Taking an anticholinergic for the equivalent of three years or more was linked to a 54% higher dementia risk than taking the same dose for three months or less.
The groundbreaking study initially made headlines in 2019, uncovering a troubling link between anticholinergic medications and an elevated dementia risk. The research highlighted particular concern surrounding anticholinergic antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, antiparkinsons treatments, bladder medications, and epilepsy drugs, with the association holding firm even when other dementia risk factors were taken into account.
Interestingly, the investigation found no such elevated risks tied to other anticholinergic drug categories examined, including antihistamines and gastrointestinal medications. Prof Tom Dening from the Centre for Dementia emphasized the implications: “This study provides further evidence that doctors should be careful when prescribing certain drugs that have anticholinergic properties.”
He was quick to caution patients, however, stressing: “However, it’s important that patients taking medications of this kind don’t just stop them abruptly as this may be much more harmful. If patients have concerns, then they should discuss them with their doctor to consider the pros and cons of the treatment they are receiving.”
The comprehensive research examined 58,769 individuals diagnosed with dementia, averaging 82 years of age, with women comprising 63% of the group. Researchers paired each dementia patient with five control subjects matched by age, gender, and general practice.
Professor Coupland reinforced the study’s significance, stating: “Our study adds further evidence of the potential risks associated with strong anticholinergic drugs, particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, anti-Parkinson drugs and epilepsy drugs.
“The risks of this type of medication should be carefully considered by healthcare professionals alongside the benefits when the drugs are prescribed and alternative treatments should be considered where possible, such as other types of antidepressants or alternative types of treatment for bladder conditions. These findings also highlight the importance of carrying out regular medication reviews.
“We found a greater risk for people diagnosed with dementia before the age of 80 which indicates that anticholinergic drugs should be prescribed with caution in middle-aged people as well as in older people.”
When the research was released, the Alzheimer’s Society weighed in: “Our own researchers have already shown a strong link between anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia. This study builds on this information, showing that long-term, high-dose use increases risk of some dementias, particularly vascular dementia.
“A shortcoming of this type of study is that from this information we can’t rule out whether the diseases that cause dementia might have already begun in the brains of people involved before they started taking these drugs.
“Current guidelines for doctors say that anticholinergic drugs should be avoided for frail older people because of their impact on memory and thinking, but doctors should consider these new findings for all middle aged and older people as long-term use could raise the risk of dementia.”
A full copy of the study can be found here.