I’m sure like me, any of you who also have YOP or PD, in general, are experiencing disturbances in your sleep. For about a year, I’ve been taking Doxylamine, a first-generation antihistamine with strong anticholinergic properties, in the form of Unisom, and it has helped immensely, particularly with falling asleep. I’m going to speak with my doctor about it though after reading this research about a connection between long-term Doxylamine use and Dementia:
Anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia: case-control study – This case-control study published in The BMJ found a significant association between the long-term use of specific classes of anticholinergic drugs and an increased risk of developing dementia in adults aged 65 and older. By analyzing the medical records of over 300,000 patients in the UK, researchers discovered that definite anticholinergic activity in antidepressants, urologicals, and antiparkinson drugs was linked to higher dementia incidence, with the risk persisting even when the drugs were prescribed 15 to 20 years before diagnosis. In contrast, other anticholinergic types, such as gastrointestinal or cardiovascular drugs, showed no such positive association. The study concludes that while some links may be due to drugs treating early prodromal symptoms, the robust, class-specific findings suggest that clinicians should carefully weigh the long-term cognitive risks when prescribing these medications. To read the article, click here.
There was also this article I read:
This Common Over-The-Counter Medication Might Be Detrimental For Brain Health, According To Doctors – This article from Women’s Health warns that frequent use of first-generation antihistamines—found in over-the-counter sleep aids like Unisom and allergy medications like Benadryl—is linked to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. These drugs work by blocking acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and learning, and can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than newer alternatives. Beyond long-term brain health concerns, doctors note that these medications can actually decrease sleep quality by reducing restorative REM sleep and leading to next-day grogginess. To mitigate these risks, experts suggest switching to second-generation antihistamines (like Claritin or Zyrtec) for allergies and utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy or safer supplements for chronic sleep issues. To read the article, click here.