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Worried about anticholinergic drugs and their link to dementia
I was put on Stiolto Respimat in November at my yearly visit to NJH in Denver. I used it daily and thought it might be helping me. I also started Brinsupri in December.
I had an episode in late January after nebulizing and coughing excessively since I was recovering from a slight sinus infection. I started a conversation with my husband and could not remember anything from the previous day. Then I look at some sympathy cards and could not remember that my sister had passed away. He took me to the hospital immediately This could have been a TIA or hypoxia.
I was hospitalized over night and went through tests all night long. Nothing was found wrong with me, actually by the time I was actually admitted I was fine. They could not find proof of anything like a TIA.
I returned to Maine on the 1st of May ( we winter in AZ) and went to a pulmonology appt for a 6 month followup spirometry exam. While waiting for the PA to talk to me of my test results I read up on Stiolto. To my surprise the last section of the side effect list was that it is possibly linked to dementia and memory loss.
I immediately threw it away as the cause of my sister's death in December was dementia. I was the care giver for my mother for many years due to her having and died from Alzheimers Disease.
This was a little too close to home for me. My sister was only four years older than me.
I was told that BE is a disease that I will likely NOT pass away from.
I REALLY do not want to pass away from Dementia.
Does anyone on this site have any info for me on Stiolto or any other medications we are on?
I am not trying to be a drama queen but that really took me by surprise.
Thank you.
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Also curious about this as I have also started Stiolto. Hoping someone else can weigh in on this drug and your experience in light of unusual side effects. Wondering if your experience might have been from the combination of the 2 drugs. Thanks
I can just imagine, somewhat, your fright, anger, concern, disturbance with the entire episode and especially while reading about the side affect of the drug while waiting for the PA.
Curious, had you been tested recently for dementia, if there is a test? However, there can be some false negatives with tests, as we know.
Medications sure effect all of us differently and until we take them we don't know how. That makes for hard decisions up front.
Glad all is better in that particular health episode, as shown by your post.
Barbara
Many common prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause cognitive side effects like brain fog, memory lapses, and confusion. Stiolto (tiotropium/olodaterol) is an inhaled medication for COPD that contains a long-acting anticholinergic. While inhaled anticholinergics act primarily in the lungs, there is a known but small risk of these drugs affecting the central nervous system in older adults, which requires monitoring for signs of cognitive decline or memory issues.
This article explains more:
- Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-20150128812
Also see:
- Medications That Can Mimic Dementia https://www.brightfocus.org/resource/medications-that-can-mimic-dementia/
Always talk with your doctor if you feel a prescribed medication is causing cognitive issues.
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2 ReactionsThank you for sharing this with me.
Some doctors do not always seem to have a complete understanding or knowledge of the pharmacology of what they prescribe, and/or they do not always share their knowledge. This appears the case with what has been mentioned about Stiolto. I really feel for you, and I hope your interlude with forgetting is over. You are right to be pro-active.
I hope all of you seek help from pharmacists and pharmacologists, and please don't assume that asking the doctor will automatically bring answers. Pharmacology (drug chemistry, interactions, side effects, etc.) is not the focus of their studies.
Although I am not on this medication, I have been prescribed medications with similar side effects, and my physician didn't seem to know how different the results with the med are if you are (1) over 65 and (2) taking the med for a long period of time.
Best regards,
Mokie
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1 ReactionThank you!