Anticholinergics and clinical outcomes among people with pre-existing dementia: A systematic review

Anticholinergic medications are commonly used for symptomatic management of a variety of conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, respiratory disorders and urinary incontinence [1]. Additionally, a large variety of prescribed medications such as antipsychotics or antidepressants and over-the-counter medications such as first generation antihistamines have anticholinergic properties that are unnecessary to the primary therapeutic activity [2]. Medications with anticholinergic properties are associated with adverse health outcomes, including blurred vision, urinary retention, tachycardia, hallucinations and delirium [3].

Source: Maturitas - June 19, 2021 Category: Primary Care Authors: Kate Wang, Janine Alan, Amy T Page, Evelyn Dimopoulos, Christopher Etherton-Beer Source Type: research