diphenhydramine decreases cognitive function in elderly patients

November 2001

There's renewed concern that diphenhydramine decreases cognitive function in elderly patients.

Diphenhydramine is commonly used in the elderly even though experts recommend against it.

Diphenhydramine has strong anticholinergic properties and can cause delirium...behavioural disturbances...and urinary retention.

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Table of Contents

concerns about bioterrorism
SSRIs can prevent heart attacks
diphenhydramine decreases cognitive function in elderly patients
Women's Health NuvaRing, the first contraceptive vaginal ring
Infectious Diseases HIV/AIDS patients taking the new combo product called Trizivir
Infectious Diseases The Lyme vaccine (Lymerix) can now be given in an accelerated dosing schedule
Infectious Diseases Intron A is effective for treating ACUTE hepatitis C
Gastroenterology H. pylori infection increases the risk of gastric cancer
Rheumatoid Arthritis Remicade (infliximab) for rheumatoid arthritis
appropriate use of inhaled steroids for treating persistent asthma
Supplements Vitamin B12 deficiency can often be treated with ORAL supplements
Supplements antioxidants and zinc to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Supplements whether glucosamine can cause elevated cholesterol and blood pressure
Anemia Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), the new longer-acting erythropoietin analog for anemia
Hematology & Oncology Gleevec (imatinib), a new cancer drug for chronic myeloid leukemia
Neurology & Pain big push to avoid using Demerol (meperidine)