NHS doctors are prescribing drugs linked to an increased risk of dementia without warning patients. Studies show that anticholinergics can contribute to an increased likelihood of developing the condition, with experts saying that patients should be warned before taking them.
Anticholinergics are used to treat a variety of conditions, including bladder problems, depression, allergies, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data shows that more than four million people aged 65 and over in the UK are currently prescribed at least one anticholinergic medication. However, taking multiple anticholinergics raises the risk of dementia and doctors are advised to consider safe alternatives.
The potential link to dementia is often not included among the listed side effects when these medications are prescribed, The Times reports.
Lucy Pollock, a leading geriatrician based in Somerset, said: “I feel very strongly about giving patients the right information about this. We don’t audit it routinely, and there’s often no flag in prescribing systems when an anticholinergic is prescribed.”
She added: “We can’t wait for more evidence to build up because millions more people will take these medicines over the next few decades.”
In 2023, research led by scientists at the University of Nottingham showed that those who took bladder anticholinergics, including oxybutynin, were 18% more likely to develop dementia than those who did not.
Tony Avery, one of the authors of the study, warned in 2020 that “we should act now and advise colleagues not to use anticholinergics associated with dementia for bladder symptoms when there are alternatives that appear to be safer”.
However, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reviewed the risk of dementia posed by anticholinergics this year and concluded current evidence was not strong enough to require action.
Although the association between the drugs and the risk of dementia is often identified in research, regulators remain reluctant to insist on guidance being added to prescription leaflets.
Alison Cave, the chief safety officer at the MHRA, said: “It is already known that taking more than one anticholinergic medicine increases the risk of experiencing side-effects, so these medicines should be limited where possible in older adults.
“Patients should continue taking their medicines as prescribed and if they have any concerns, they should discuss these with their healthcare professional.”
An NHS spokesman said: “Anticholinergic drugs must always be prescribed in line with clinical guidance and with the patient’s or carer’s agreement, following a discussion to ensure the risks and benefits are fully considered and understood.
“The NHS is committed to stopping medications from being prescribed when no longer necessary and carried out 3.6 million medication reviews last year to ensure people living with frailty were only prescribed the medication they really needed; and with thousands of pharmacists working in GP practices, we expect this number to increase.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
