Anticholinergic drugs that play havoc with our memory and add to confusion. Many people with Parkinson's are on some of them.

[parkie13]

peoplespharmacy.com/article...

Farther down in the article you can click on a link and you can bring up the drugs that are anticholinergic. Also, there is a list of all the symptoms.

[park_bear]

Anticholinergic meds are quite common. I personally found that one of them - Benadryl - did aggravate my motor impairment symptoms. I agree that caution with these meds is warranted.

[jeeves19]

True, but they also have some curious properties which are advantageous for us:

Aggregation of the protein alpha-synuclein is toxic to dopamine neurons. Therefore, a compound that reduces or clears this protein could be a viable therapeutic option. We have compelling evidence that chemical compounds called tricyclics (primarily used as antidepressants) significantly reduce alpha-synuclein aggregation in a new Parkinson’s disease model. This project will further validate the disease-modifying potential of the specific tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline, and establish a dosing regimen to more readily translate findings to the clinic.

[Pegcity in reply to jeeves19]

My husband was put on nortriptyline 2 months ago - 10 mgs at night. It has helped with his relentless coughing, saliva, pain and mood. He hadn't left the house for months. Now he is going for long walks on his own. I was aware of the problem with anticholinergic medications but agreed on this (recommended by the gastroenterologist) as I also read about the above. It has definitely made a difference.

[parkie13]

That is very good to know. I guess, it's a balancing act.

[sharoncrayn]

A bad news drug long term...tread carefully...

"Emerging Evidence of Drug Induced Dementia

2019-08-04 18:00:00

Gunda Siska, PharmD

There is emerging evidence that anticholinergic drugs might cause vascular dementia in people age 50 years and older, who would otherwise not be expected to get dementia. This type of dementia is not genetic, like Alzheimer disease.

Anticholinergic drugs are on the Beer's list of drugs not to give people over 65 because they can cause short term confusion, memory loss and altered mental status.1 It has also been observed that people who take cholinergic drugs for long periods have a higher rate of dementia.2 There is even a list of anticholinergic drugs with a rating scale on the adverse cognitive side effects."

Sharon