7 Medications and Medication Classes That May Affect Cognitive Health

Therefore, amphetamine medications should be taken only according to a physician’s instructions. Recreational or high-dose use can be particularly dangerous.

6. Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline and nortriptyline, are older antidepressant medications that are still used to treat depression, certain types of chronic pain, migraine, and other conditions.

Many tricyclic antidepressants have significant anticholinergic effects. As a result, they can cause dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, drowsiness, confusion, and memory problems.

Older adults may be especially sensitive to these effects. Long-term exposure to medications with strong anticholinergic properties has