[Health] Antihistamine nasal sprays and anticholinergic meds increase dementia and Alzheimer's

[G. Szabo]

Antihistamine nasal sprays (AstePro and similar) and Anticholinergic medications (for urination frequency) may increase the risk of dementia and  Alzheimer's disease. 

Many use these medications for nasal congestion and reducing nighttime bathroom breaks. See some details below: 

Does Long-Term Benadryl Use Increase Dementia Risk? | Scientific American
"Benadryl, which contains diphenhydramine, is a drugstore mainstay and just one medication out of many that could possibly damage brain health"

Anticholinergic Drug Exposure and the Risk of Dementia: A Nested Case-Control Study | Dementia and Cognitive Impairment | JAMA Internal Medicine | JAMA Network
"Conclusions and Relevance  Exposure to several types of strong anticholinergic drugs is associated with an increased risk of dementia. These findings highlight the importance of reducing exposure to anticholinergic drugs in middle-aged and older people."

Risks of Dementia After Treatment with an Anticholinergic, Beta-3 Agonist, or Combination of Both for an Overactive Bladder: A Korean National Cohort Study - ScienceDirect
"In this large Korean cohort, the use of anticholinergics with or without a beta-3 agonist increased the risk of new-onset dementia compared with the use of a beta-3 agonist alone. Given that the risk of dementia was most significantly elevated with combination treatments, care should be taken when considering combination treatment for OAB patients with risk factors for dementia. Furthermore, there could be a possible association between beta-3 agonists and dementia, although future studies are needed."

Beers Criteria — Beers List of Inappropriate Medication Used in Older Adults
"Antihistamines (brompheniramine): Confusion, cognitive impairment, delirium."

[eok361]

is flonase (or similar) in the same category as benadryl?

[super7pilot]

is flonase (or similar) in the same category as benadryl?

Flonase is an anti-inflammatory steroid. It is not an anti-histamine or decongestant.  Another bad thing about Benadryl (a first gen anti-histamine) It WILL cause a mans prostate to grow. If you have BPH be careful and read the side effects on the label of your anti-histamine. Just because they are over the counter doesn't mean they are 100% benign. 2nd and 3rd gen anti-histamines are better.

[G. Szabo]

Flonase is an anti-inflammatory steroid. It is not an anti-histamine or decongestant. 

However, you are not supposed to use steroids continuously.

[super7pilot]

Szabo, I often look at these studies with a lot of skepticism. In my life time. Eggs have gone from being heaven sent super food to they are Satans food. Then next year it's on the good guy list again. It all depends on who is selling something.

Remember the saccharin sweetener study from decades ago? That study resulted in the FDA banning it. But a few years later it was discovered that the sugar makers lobby funded that study. And the study was deemed to be false. And so the ban was lifted and no one died from the sweetener causing bladder cancer. Which was what the study claimed in an effort (a successful one) to effect the ban and increase sugar usage HMMMM!!!! WHO funded a study is a great place to start before we start throwing stuff in the dust bin.

[Nightynite]

Yikes, I can’t remember what I use !

[super7pilot]

Yikes,  I can’t remember what I use !

Good one!

[G. Szabo]

Good one!

Yes. But it's not original. Unfortunatelly.

[G. Szabo]

Szabo, I often look at these studies with a lot of skepticism. ... 
It all depends on who is selling something.

Although I generally support your skepticism, I cannot see the business driver here who wants to disqualify antihistamines for older people unless it is the coffin manufacturers.

[jdougc]

I have been battling Pruritus for decades and use Atarax in the late fall and winter. After I told my dermatologist that I was "itching" to get better, he prescribe a low dose and told me I could cut it in half. I may have to wean myself off of it, if I remember.