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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
During long-term SSRI therapy, the most troubling adverse effects are sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and sleep disturbance.
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].
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.
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.
Examples: Amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil) and trimipramine (Surmontil).
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.
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).
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.
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.
Less Common Side Effects From Zoloft
Hallucinations. Impulsiveness. Memory loss. Symptoms associated with psychosis, major depression, or mania.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SSRIs are generally considered safe to take long-term, says Maurizio Fava, executive vice chair of the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.