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Older adults taking psychiatric medications such as Valium or Xanax may be at increased risk of dementia, a new French study suggests.
In the reports, adults older than 65 who took drugs known as benzodiazepines were 50 percent more likely to develop dementia over a 15-year period, compared with those who did not take the drugs.
Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed medications, used to treat symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders.
The study findings held true even when taking into account other factors that may affect people's dementia risk, such as age, gender, diabetes and early signs of dementia. The researchers also accounted for some factors that lead people to start taking benzodiazepines in the first place.
Researchers caution that the study only found an association between the drugs and dementia, and not a direct cause-and-effect link.
However, the findings agree with those of several earlier studies looking at the link between benzodiazepines and dementia. Use of the medications has also been tied to other serious events in older adults, such as falls.
"Considering the extent to which benzodiazepines are prescribed and the number of potential adverse effects of this drug class in the general population, [their] indiscriminate, widespread use should be cautioned against," the researchers said.
Whenever possible, use of the drugs should be limited to just a few weeks, the researchers said. Currently, despite evidence that the drugs work only over short periods, many people take them for years.
The study followed about 1,000 older adults living in France who, at the study's start, did not have dementia and were not taking benzodiazepines. Over the first five years of the analysis, 95 participants started taking benzodiazepines.
Fifteen years later, 253 cases of dementia were confirmed — 30 in benzodiazepine users and 223 in non-users. That puts the yearly rate of dementia among those taking benzodiazepines at 4.8 cases per 100 people, compared with 3.2 cases per 100 people in those who did not take the drugs.
The researchers noted that, in determining dementia risk, they were able to account for the possible effects of depression, which is associated with the development of dementia. However they were not able to determine whether anxiety and or sleep disorders, which may be early signs of dementia, played a role a in the results.
Future research should examine whether use of the drugs is linked to dementia in younger people, and whether the drug dosage affects the risk, the researchers said.
The study was published Sept. 28 in the British Medical Journal.
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These drugs are dangerous! Although they may offer immediate, temporary relief from your affliction, they are no cure. The medical community often ignores the powerful relationship between the mind and body. One effects the other dramatically and should be the fundamental, essential place to look for the cause of anyone's particular symptoms.
Great I have been prescribed xanax for over 30 years.
Will the drug companies be held culpable... hell no.
Instead I will lose my mind because THEY screwed up.
Where is the FDA??????????????????????????????????????????????????
A study that makes no mention of looking a different dosages or the frequency with which the people took the medication seems a little suspect. It also does not take into account the fact that the people may have started taking the medication because of early symptoms of the onset of dementia such as anxiety, depression, and irritability. What was the diagnosis that led to the person being put on the drug to start with?!?! There is still a lot more work to be done before any real causal relationship can be established, if one exists in the first place.
Yes, but you won't know it! ;-)
I have been taking 40mg of Valium/day to prevent muscle spasms and so I could sleep at night, for a lot of years. I believe the results all depend upon the individual and tolerance along with diet and other things. We are not all the same. I just know what helps me cope and function properly. I would not be able to function properly without the muscle relaxant. However, studies like this really complicate things and make it hard to get treatment for those that this is an effective treatment for. Doctors run scared due to lawsuits and will not prescribe a lot of medications any more. The time is coming where people will have to sue the doctors to get the proper medications that let them live a decent life.
As far as losing my mind to dementia, I doubt that will ever happen. Even with the dosages that I have to take to keep from shaking and having spasms, I stay alert and busy. This is after taking them for years. I know of others with the same problem and treatment. The stranglehold of government regulations will hurt quite a few people.
I actually remember things quite well on Valium. I did try Xanax and a couple of other drugs years ago, but they just made me ill and some did affect my memory.
Quite trying to label people. We are all different and respond differently to different medications. The majority may go one way, but there are others that do need the other stuff. These drugs work wonders for a lot of people. They are also dangerous for those that abuse them or use them differently than described. I just hope there will always be a doctor or two around that will use common sense and do what is needed for the patient. I know my body and it tells me if I do not need as much, and I do cut back when I can. I hate medications, but I have to function. I do not abuse medications, period.
This is my point of view and my opinion.
Hannah: u have been taking Xanax for 30 years?
GOD ur a LUCKY LOOSE LADY!
Gotta love Xanax!
I've taken Xanax for several years now, and my 68 year old father takes it as well. I'm more interested in whether this study examined people who took the medications DAILY, or whether it applies to people who take it 'as needed' sporadically over a period of years. Perhaps the risks are different dependent upon the regularity and dosage as well.
Also, Hannah-2721721, if you're still on Xanax, I wouldn't stop taking it until you speak with your doctor. You could even print out this article and take it to your doctor to voice your concerns. Hopefully he or she will know more about it.
I know Xanax is stronger, but I wouldn't worry about it. I've taken Ativan for 29 years. I tend to be hyper active and always was until I started taking Ativan. In addition, I've gone through two family suicides and numerous social pressures that demanded that I appear as if nothing happened. That's not easy to do.
Suicidal ideation is a side effect of xanax.
Suicidal idealization is a side effect of thousands of medications. Even placebos.
A lot of that is in the character and upbringing of the person, along with the many stressful conditions that may be affecting their lives at any given moment. PTSD, job loss, family problems, etc. can be a cause.
They have to print a lot of the warnings on boxes just to keep from being sued over someone committing suicide. Overall, it is the responsibility of the patient to keep the prescribing doctor informed.
In my opinion.
My cat is over 13 years old and takes 1/2 a Xanax twice a day. I'm actually not sure what the dementia stats are for cats (I know it happens to dogs and is sad) so I don't know how worried I should be at her age.
Guin...Whenever studies such as these come out, it often reverses itself in future studies... Enjoy your cat and I would think if she's happy, you should be as well. Like another poster, I would print this article and mention it to my vet but I wouldn't worry.
Here's the sad thing...we go to the moon but we still don't understand our own humanity.
GUIN! are u on drugs?
besides ur cat!
U r so FUNNY!
Without stating the dose taken this is a very unscientific study.
I think it's all in your genes. If dementia runs in your family then your chances are greater than normal. Also, our bodies are only designed to last so long.....
funny comment Plork I think i will take a vitamin X right now now News flash all drugs have side effects ive been taking them for 4 years & I never forget anything Happy tuesday everyone
Quote of the day @plork, Im still smiling, just cant remember why.
Another good question is what about Clonazepam, klonopin, and lorazepam ??? they're all benzo's . ??????
Highly addictive, of questionable utility, after a period of time cause the symptoms they are meant to treat and present a horrific assortment of side effects including athasia, mania, suicidal and homicidal ideation, illogical thinking, confusion and eventual dementia. The main benefit of benzos, semisynthethic opioids and many psychoactive and other drugs developed since the 70s is to enrich our legal drug pushing pharmaceutical companies to the extent that they can buy politicians including Bush and Obama like they're penny candies and in turn render the FDA ineffectual and colluding. Good luck.
Here's a radical idea....get off the drugs that only temporarily relieve your symptoms (while causing a host of other nasty ones) and start eating a nutritious diet. Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3,6,9) are just that--ESSENTIAL to proper brain function. You get EFAs from diet, not benzos. How about B-Vitamins, know anything about them? Its something else your brain needs to function properly, among other vitmains and minerals. But I guess you don't find too many of those in french fries and coke. North Americans have the highest rates of mental illness world wide; anyone getting a clue as to why? Probably not, your minds are already shot.
More and more of this kind of propaganda is going to hit the news as government takes over more and more responsibility of having to pay for those using these drugs. It has nothing to do with whether or not it is safe or needed and ALL to do about money.....
Yes, this is government propaganda. Never mind that the study was conducted in France, was peer reviewed by other scientists and makes no claim for causality. It's all because the gov't is trying not to pay for Xanax.
Except that the study is about people over 65. Which gov't already pays for through Medicare. And concerns a class of drugs for which many of the drugs are already off patent and cost the gov't squat.
Fail
Exactly Bob. People are so lazy in North America they would rather take a pill than eat a nutritious diet or getting off the couch and start exercising. There are also a lot of studies for the efficacy of natural (as in food, vitmains, mineral, etc) remedies in preventing or correcting depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
I have found (for myself of course) Xanax and Valium to be VERY addictive drugs and had to increase my dosage over time to have the same relief.
My doctor switched me to Klonopin for anxiety issues; it is not nearly as "powerful as Xanax or Valium," it is longer acting, gentler, and you don't get the 'rush' as with Xanax or Valium. Still helps to control anxiety however.
This said, I hope I don't turn into a complete retard down the road, lol. It sure helps for the time being...So for those of you on this thread with anxiety issues, this may be a safer drug to consider. But in the long run, lifestyle changes, meditation, diet, exercise, herbs, etc are better in the long run.
But sometimes, life's challenges can overwhelm us and that's when you need some temporary help. My parents are old and dying, so I need this extra support for the time being. Hope this helps.
I don't know how long you've been taking Klonopin, but I took it for a year, and it was a beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeotch to stop taking. I tapered down for about four months, but I didn't feel "normal" until another six months.
Benzo's are probably one of the most over prescribed drugs on the market. They are extremely addictive and it takes months to withdraw from them. Squibb has gotten 100's of thousands of letters from the users of their drug. But the FDA refuses to take it off the market. My best advice practice Yoga and deep breathe. :0)
The FDA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Big Pharma.
I have been weening myself off xanax for 6 months,although I am getting better,I still have a hard time sleeping,I was on them for 4 years and taking 2 to 3 mg a night just to sleep,then I noticed every afternoon I would get very dizzy and could hardly walk straight,my balance was all messed up,this went on for 4 years and no Doctor good tell me what was wrong,I thought I had a brain tumor,it was scary to have something like that happen every afternoon/eve. for that long.I am 63 years old and I really thought I was dying of something.then a friend told me to get off my xanax That I was taking for sleeping.That was a lot harder then I thought,six months It took to ween off it,but I am starting to feel like a normal person.I will gladly give up some sleep then to ever go back to how I was feeling..Good-luck to any one who are on these drugs too long.They will get you sooner then you think.
It all depends upon each person and their metabolism, along with other factors of each person's body. I go days sometimes without Valium and do not notice, but the muscle spasms come back and I have to start back up on them. Xanax just made me sick the few months I took it and just dropped it with no side effects that I was able to notice. My muscle spasms are related to a back injury that leaves me in great pain. The doctors finally gave me morphine for the pain when it gets intolerable. I do not take it regularly, just as needed for the pain, though it is prescribed for 3 times per day. Some people really are more easily addicted to medications than others. I really do not like the morphine because it tends to constipate me, so I really try hard to not use it. I try to get by with standard aspirin and/or tylenol. I have found that I have to research any meds they give me and make my own decision. The doctors work with me since I have finally convinced them after years of medications that I know what I am talking about. Since the medications are prescribed to be taken on a daily basis, I have stocked up on some of them and dispose of them properly after a year. I get some odd looks when I go to dispose of them because they are a class 2 prescription and heavily regulated.
In my opinion.
This explains why so many brain dead seniors voted for Obama.
Even if that's true, with the House still ruled by Republicans, he'll be as ineffective as he has been the last two years.
I wonder if your nickname "Boozer" explains why you are not voting for Obama. Incidentally I have never taken Xanax or Valium or any similar drug, am a senior, don't have dementia (although would I know it if I did?) and I AM voting for President Obama.
Vote for Obama if you like. However Obama is owned by the drug companies as was Bush. Sorry to disillusion you but your govt no matter which of the two major parties is in control is a lap dog for big pharma. Obama's reelection campaign rec'd $500,000 from the CEO bundler for Pfizer. The FDA is a revolving employment door for retired drug company researchers, executives and other drug company personnel. Bush' rx plan and Obamacare are payoffs to big pharma. 400,000 Americans have been fatally poisoned by rx drugs since 1995. The streets are flooded with benzos and semi synthethic opioids and fatal rx drug poisonings are growing exponentially. The Mexican, Colombian and Afghani drug cartels are laughable, unsophisticated, primitive poison peddlers as compared to Pfizer, Endo, Glaxo, Purdue Pharma, Abbott, et al.
BOOZER Go vote for Mittens and shut up! Can u stop Politicizing
every fr*ggen thing!
I just smoke pot
can I join u? PLEASE! :):):)
Its not a medication one can abruptly stop taking I understand. I hope if this article frightened anyone utilizing the medication they won't abruptly stop and will consult with their physician.
Every chemical that you put into your body has various effects, some good and some bad. It's a trade-off. Sometimes the adverse effects outweigh the benefits; sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks. What is critical is to talk with your doctor about any concerns that you might have and have your doctor explain why the medication is prescribed and potential effects. Long-term effects are often unknown until years later.
By the way, check out who does a study, who funds the study, what was ruled out or ruled in as a potential influence on the study and the demographics. Look at the stats as well, even though stats can be "twisted." Just because you read an article on a news web-site doesn't mean it's presenting all the information. Check the original source....
Unfortunately many Dr.s are conned by drug company salespeople who soft peddle side effects and tout the so called benefits of their poison pills.
Bottom line, you can't cheat in life. If you experience it, you have to face it. To try and numb it out will cost you now or later. Deal with it!
Got Milk?? Mikie??
Maybe, he should have tried chocal-a-latte ?
!
No cause and effect link... I find it hard to believe that benzodiazepines cause amyloid plaques...
Ok .. why would you do a study like this on the French? Aren't they demented anyway?
Oh, must be time for the drug companies to play duck and cover, look out! LOL Benzos damned-near cause temporary dementia in everybody who takes them, so what's the big hoohaw this time? Anybody want to ask WHY elders need to be loaded-up on tranquilizers to begin with? No? Yeah, I thought not.
But I don't want to sell my house and go to the home!
Don't make a fuss, it's not like you have a choice here...
Really, I'm feeling better. I won't ask for anything again, I promise!
Just sign this paper and get in the ambulance...
I was given a lifetime supply of Klonopin for 8 miserable years. Even after getting discharged I was given a lifetime supply. You have any idea how much people will pay for this stuff? But you have ANY idea how bad this stuff rots your brain and destroy your life? It is one of the most addicting drugs on Earth and I quit all that back in May of 2011. You know what got me off it? Believe it or not Medical Marijuana, and now as of Sept 2012, I don't take any pills, No cigarettes, NO alcohol, Not even tylenol... and NO more medical marijuana. And each time I tell this story to my VA Doctors, they think I'm crazy. Such a sad world we live in really. I am free as a bird, and will NEVER take anything again because I got lucky! ^_^
Well done and good for you.
I also am very happy for you John,I know what you mean about messing with your brain,I'm sure if I wouldn't have gotten off the xanax when I did that I would have had a stroke.Good luck to you.
I am not surprised that there is evidence Xanax and similar drugs increase the risk of dementia. These drugs mess with your brain! Also the widespread acceptance of them as a "solution" contributes to the cultural attitude that accepts taking illegal drugs, including extremely dangerous illegal drugs.
What blows me away is that our culture encourages legal use of extremely dangerous legal drugs such as alcohol. Have you ever lived with an alcoholic parent?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18856658 drinking and dementia link