Do SSRIs increase risk of dementia?

SSRI use is significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia when compared with nonuse. The overall pooled increase of dementia in patients with SSRI use was RR 1.75 (95% CI: 1.033–2.964) with significant heterogeneity present (I 2 = 98.553, tau 2 = 0.34) (Figure 2).

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Which antidepressants raise the risk of dementia?

According to the University of Regina research, popular SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressant medications, such as Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft, etc., are associated with a twofold increase in the odds of developing some form of cognitive impairment, such as dementia, including Alzheimer's.

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Can antidepressants cause early dementia?

New evidence shows some anti-depressants can raise dementia risk. Certain antidepressants and bladder medications are linked to increased risk of dementia, according to new University of East Anglia research funded by Alzheimer's Society and published today in the British Medical Journal.

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What antidepressants do not cause dementia?

Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is a popular tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and in some cases chronic pain. Antidepressant alternatives that don't increase dementia risk include SSRI antidepressants like escitalopram and sertraline, that don't have strong anticholinergic properties.

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Do SSRIs cause memory loss?

Our data show that in patients with OCD or depression and those who are naïve to SSRI therapy, a gradual decline in their memory function can develop within the first 8 weeks of initiation of drug treatment with SSRIs.

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Do Antidepressants Increase Risk of Dementia?

29 related questions found

Are SSRIs harmful long-term?

During long-term SSRI therapy, the most troubling adverse effects are sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and sleep disturbance.

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Do SSRIs cause long-term damage?

It is well known that harms caused by SSRIs can be long-lasting [18] and there are indications that they can even be permanent, e.g. for sexual disturbances [39, 40]. Withdrawal symptoms are also drug harms, and they can also persist for a long time [18].

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Do SSRIs cause brain damage?

There's a word of warning after research on monkeys finds that an SSRI antidepressant may alter brain architecture if taken by those who aren't really depressed. There is new reason to be cautious about using popular antidepressants in people who are not really depressed.

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What are the nine drugs that are linked to dementia?

Some anticholinergic drugs linked to dementia risk include:
  • Amitriptyline (Elavil)
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • Benztropine (Cogentin)
  • Biperiden (Akineton)
  • Brompheniramine (Dimaphen DM)
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • Chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton)
  • Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

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What anxiety meds cause dementia?

Research over the last 5 years has found that common anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, Clonazepam, etc.) can increase the risk of developing dementia. This is especially true for older people (60 and above) who take these medications regularly.

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Which antidepressants cause memory loss?

Examples: Amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil) and trimipramine (Surmontil).

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Is memory loss from antidepressants permanent?

Some people find that their memory loss improves with treatment, or when switching to a different antidepressant. However, when depression is the cause, memory loss does not typically get worse.

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What triggers early onset dementia?

It is caused by genetic mutations (changes in genes) that run in families. Three genes have been found to have these rare mutations – PSEN1 (presenilin 1), PSEN2 (presenilin 2) and APP (amyloid precursor protein).

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Can you take Lexapro forever?

Escitalopram is a commonly used antidepressant. Antidepressants are safe for short-term use. However, prolonged use can cause side effects with previously undetected clinical risks.

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Do antidepressants protect against dementia?

Therefore, long-term continued treatment with antidepressants might promote neurogenesis in the human hippocampus, thereby decrease the risk of developing dementia in cognitively healthy individuals and decelerate progression to dementia in MCI patients.

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Does Zoloft cause memory loss?

Less Common Side Effects From Zoloft

Hallucinations. Impulsiveness. Memory loss. Symptoms associated with psychosis, major depression, or mania.

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What is the biggest factor for dementia?

The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's and other dementias is increasing age, but these disorders are not a normal part of aging. While age increases risk, it is not a direct cause of Alzheimer's. Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older.

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Can antidepressants cause dementia like symptoms?

Our findings indicate that antidepressant use is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. Therefore, we suggest physicians to carefully prescribe antidepressants, especially in elder patients. Additionally, treatment should be stopped if any symptoms related to dementia are to be noticed.

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Does Lexapro cause memory loss?

Escitalopram and Memory Loss

Escitalopram is not linked with short-term memory loss, and the results are not definitive when it comes to problems in your brain. Those who experience memory loss must consult their doctor immediately to determine if other medications or causes could be to blame.

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Why you shouldn't take an SSRI?

SSRIs may not be suitable if you have any of the following conditions: bipolar disorder and you're in a manic phase (a period of extremely excitable mood), although they can be useful for depressive phases. a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia. type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

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Is it OK to take antidepressants for life?

For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.

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How harmful are SSRIs?

SSRIs are generally safe for most people. However, in some circumstances they can cause problems. For example, high doses of citalopram may cause dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, so doses over 40 milligrams (mg) a day should be avoided according to the FDA and the manufacturer.

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How long is too long to be on SSRIs?

It's usually recommended that a course of SSRIs continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition coming back when you stop. However, if you've experienced previous episodes of depression, a 2-year course may be recommended.

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How long is too long to be on antidepressants?

Clinicians generally recommend staying on the medication for six to nine months before considering going off antidepressants. If you've had three or more recurrences of depression, make that at least two years.

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Can you be on SSRI for years?

SSRIs are generally considered safe to take long-term, says Maurizio Fava, executive vice chair of the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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