Anti-allergy drugs increase the risk of dementia in the elderly, with cases expected to triple by 2050.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Some anti-allergy drugs have the potential to increase the risk of dementia in the elderly, a new study has claimed. Dementia is estimated to affect more than 57.4 million people worldwide, a number expected to nearly triple to 152.8 million cases by 2050. Early signs include memory loss, difficulty finding words, confusion, and changes in mood and behaviour.

Higher risk of confusion 

An analysis in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that elderly patients admitted by doctors prescribing high doses of first-generation antihistamines have an increased risk of delirium (severe confusion) while in hospital. An analysis in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that elderly patients admitted by doctors prescribing high doses of first-generation antihistamines have an increased risk of delirium (severe confusion) while in hospital.

Analysis of data from 328,140 

Researchers from the University of Toronto said first-generation antihistamines, such as dihydramine, are among the leading causes of drug-related harm in the elderly, and although these drugs are indicated for histamine-related conditions such as urticaria and anaphylaxis, they may be prescribed inappropriately. The team analyzed data from 328,140 patients aged 65 and older admitted by 755 doctors to 17 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, between 2015-2022.

Antihistamines have a greater impact on patients 

They found that the overall prevalence of delirium was 34.8 percent. Patients admitted by doctors who frequently prescribed first-generation antihistamines were 41 percent more likely to experience delirium, compared with patients admitted by doctors who rarely prescribed first-generation antihistamines. The prevalence of delirium in hospitalized elderly patients is up to 50 percent, and it is associated with major adverse outcomes, such as mortality and long-term cognitive impairment.

"We hope this study will raise awareness among hospitalists  that sedating antihistamines can be harmful," said study author Aaron M. Drucker. "First-generation antihistamines are for histamine-induced urticaria and anaphylaxis, but the medication may be inappropriately prescribed for non-histamine-induced pruritic conditions, such as type IV hypersensitivity."

Read More: Cancer diagnosis is now easy! A single blood test can detect 50 types of cancer.