Millions of individuals who habitually turn to over-the-counter sleep aids may unknowingly be jeopardizing their cognitive longevity, a leading American health authority has cautioned.
In a statement that has amassed over three million views, Dr. Amy Shah vehemently advised against the habitual consumption of pharmaceuticals containing diphenhydramine.
This compound is a principal constituent in numerous widely available medications across the United Kingdom, including Nytol One-a-Night, Boots Sleepeaze, and Panadol Night. Additionally, it is an active ingredient in various Benylin formulations designed to alleviate cold, flu, and cough symptoms, according to DailyMail.
Across the Atlantic, well-recognized brands such as Tylenol PM, Unisom, and the antihistamine Benadryl also incorporate diphenhydramine in their formulations.
Dr. Shah’s cautionary appeal coincides with escalating apprehension regarding ongoing research into the prolonged use of anticholinergic medications—a classification that encompasses diphenhydramine.
A particularly alarming investigation published in 2015 monitored 3,500 elderly individuals and discerned that those who consumed these drugs for a duration of three years or more exhibited a staggering 54% elevation in dementia susceptibility. Another inquiry, published in December, identified a 22% increase in dementia risk among men prescribed a distinct anticholinergic for urinary incontinence.
In her widely disseminated message, Dr. Shah underscored the gravity of the issue: “This is a crucial advisory for those who resort to Benadryl, Unisom, Tylenol PM, or any sleep aids containing diphenhydramine. Refrain from using them habitually. The risk of cognitive decline is substantial—one study demonstrated a 54% heightened probability of dementia in elderly individuals who took it consistently for three or more years.”
Dr. Shah, an expert in immunity and nutrition with credentials from Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia, further elaborated: “I understand these medications are available without prescription and may have been a fixture in your life since childhood. However, medical understanding has progressed significantly. Regular consumption of these drugs is ill-advised,” as per DailyMail.
While diphenhydramine induces drowsiness and possesses antihistaminic properties, mitigating allergic reactions, its usage in allergy-specific medications is relatively uncommon in the UK. In contrast, its presence remains prevalent in American Benadryl formulations.
Dr. Shah recommended alternative antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra (sold as Allevia in the UK), Clarityn, and Zyzal, emphasizing that they exhibit significantly lower permeability across the blood-brain barrier. “I am unequivocally convinced that eliminating these medications from your regimen is a prudent decision. If you or someone you know relies on these drugs routinely, cessation is imperative,” she asserted.
Anticholinergic drugs function by obstructing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for neural communication. In the cerebral domain, acetylcholine plays a pivotal role in memory consolidation and cognitive function. Beyond the brain, it is instrumental in muscular coordination.
Apart from antihistamines, the anticholinergic class also encompasses tricyclic antidepressants, medications for managing overactive bladder, and pharmacological agents prescribed for Parkinson’s disease symptom relief.
In December, a comprehensive study analyzing nearly one million British medical records suggested that specific anticholinergics could augment dementia risk by approximately one-third.
Researchers scrutinized health data from over 170,000 English patients diagnosed with dementia, juxtaposing their records against a control group of 800,000 individuals devoid of neurodegenerative afflictions, according to DailyMail.
Their findings indicated an 18% increased likelihood of dementia diagnosis among anticholinergic users, with the risk being more pronounced in men (22%) compared to women (16%).
Certain drugs, frequently prescribed for incontinence management, were linked to markedly higher risks. Patients who were administered oxybutynin hydrochloride exhibited a 31% augmented risk, whereas those prescribed tolterodine tartrate had a 27% increased probability of developing dementia.
These revelations underscore the necessity for healthcare professionals to explore alternative therapeutic avenues for older individuals requiring overactive bladder treatment.
Despite their extensive over-the-counter presence in sleep aids, NHS data indicates that hundreds of thousands of anticholinergic prescriptions are dispensed monthly within the UK healthcare system.
Nonetheless, the study, published in the British Medical Journal, delineated that certain anticholinergic variants, including darifenacin, fesoterodine fumarate, flavoxate hydrochloride, propiverine hydrochloride, and trospium chloride, did not exhibit a statistically significant association with dementia risk, as per DailyMail.
Additionally, the researchers assessed mirabegron—a non-anticholinergic agent prescribed for overactive bladder conditions that operate via an alternative pharmacological mechanism. While some preliminary data suggested a potential link to dementia, the findings lacked conclusive clarity, necessitating further investigative scrutiny.
Manufacturers of Nytol, Panadol Night, Benylin, and Boots-branded medications were contacted for commentary regarding these emerging concerns.