{"id":192619,"date":"2025-06-17T20:50:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/192619\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T20:50:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:50:10","slug":"this-common-over-the-counter-medication-may-harm-brain-health-doctors-say-do-you-take-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/192619\/","title":{"rendered":"This Common Over-the-Counter Medication May Harm Brain Health, Doctors Say\u2014Do You Take It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Common Over-the-Counter Medication May Harm Brain Health, Doctors Say\u2014Do You Take It?<\/a> originally appeared on Parade<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know about you, but when I conceptualize over-the-counter medications, I think they’re generally safe for people to take. They don\u2019t require a prescription, people take them often, and the list goes on.<\/p>\n

To some degree, that\u2019s true. But it\u2019s important to know that over-the-counter (OTC) medication is still medication; it’s still going to have side effects and interactions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On that note, doctors want to warn about a particular OTC med that may harm your brain health<\/a>, the science behind the risk and safer alternatives to consider.<\/p>\n

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The OTC Medicine That May Harm Brain Health<\/p>\n

The medication ingredients in question are doxylamine succinate, which is found in certain sleep aids<\/a> (like Unisom) and allergy medications, like first-generation antihistamines (such as hydroxyzine, or Vistaril\/Atarax, and diphenhydramine, or Benadryl. It can have cognitive side effects in the long term and short term, though the former are more serious\u2014think increased dementia risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoxylamine succinate, a first-generation antihistamine, can have negative impacts on brain health, especially when patients use high doses, frequently and for a long period,\u201d confirms Dr. Duyen Nguyen, DO<\/a>,<\/strong> an allergist at Memorial Hermann.<\/p>\n

Immediate impacts, she says, include confusion, drowsiness and dizziness. Prolonged use, however, can lead to cognitive decline<\/a>, memory loss<\/a>, increased risk of dementia and delirium, especially in older patients.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong>This 3-Minute Habit Could Help You Sleep Through the Night<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Sanjay Kamboj, MD<\/strong><\/a>, an associate professor of medicine and an allergy and immunology specialist at LCMC Health, agrees. \u201cCumulative use over time may lead to neurodegenerative changes or exacerbate existing risk factors for dementia,\u201d he says. \u201cShort-term, occasional use of doxylamine in healthy adults is generally considered safe, with mild and temporary side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness or grogginess.\u201d<\/p>\n

The former has been noted in research, too: A 2015 study in JAMA Internal Medicine<\/a> concluded \u201chigher cumulative anticholinergic use is associated with an increased risk for dementia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

But how does it happen?<\/p>\n

\u201cThese medications block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory, attention and learning,\u201d explains Dr. Chris Allen, MD<\/a>,<\/strong> sleep science advisor at Aeroflow Sleep, a board-certified sleep medicine physician and a pediatric neurologist. \u201cOver time, this interference may contribute to structural and functional changes in the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Deanna McDanel, PharmD<\/a>, <\/strong>a clinical pharmacy specialist in UI Health Care\u2019s Allergy\/Immunology Clinic, adds that \u201cacetylcholine is a key chemical involved in promoting wakefulness and arousal,\u201d so naturally, when it\u2019s blocked, a person might feel drowsy or sedated.<\/p>\n

Other common risks that doctors mention include daytime drowsiness, cognitive impairment and somnolence, or severe drowsiness. Further, the latter can impair mental alertness and increase the risk of falls or accidents, Dr. McDanel says.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong>New Study Reveals Surprising Factor That May Increase Dementia Risk<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

This is particularly true for older adults who take this medication. \u201cIn older adults, reduced brain reserve makes them more vulnerable to these effects,\u201d Dr. Kamboj explains.<\/p>\n

In fact, Dr. Nguyen would say it\u2019s \u201cvery risky\u201d for elderly patients to take a high dosage of doxylamine succinate for a prolonged period. The level of risk depends on the dose, duration and individual factors, McDanel adds, like age, other medications taken and overall brain health.<\/p>\n

Within certain parameters, it *can* be safe\u2014and even helpful and recommended. \u201cGenerally speaking, doxylamine can be safe when used in the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible,\u201d Dr. McDanel says. \u201cIt is even recommended fairly regularly for pregnant women<\/a> to help with nausea<\/a> as it is effective for this, along with vitamin B6, and is safe for the fetus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since the safety profile is so individualized, your best bet is to talk to your primary care provider, who knows your history.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that when it comes to sleep, medication may not be the answer we would assume it to be. \u201cThey don\u2019t provide the deep, restorative sleep that our brains need,\u201d Dr. Allen says. \u201cIn fact, they can disrupt the natural sleep architecture, leading to less REM sleep<\/a>, which is crucial for memory consolidation and emotional regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Safer, Effective Alternatives<\/p>\n

If you need more long-term support with allergies or sleep, other options are probably safer bets. Ahead, doctors share tips and treatments to consider.<\/p>\n

For allergies<\/p>\n

Try a newer antihistamine, like loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Dr. Allen says they’re generally safer because they don\u2019t cross the blood-brain barrier as easily and have fewer side effects.<\/p>\n

Second-generation antihistamines are also less likely to make you drowsy, a major complaint with first-generation antihistamines. \u201cAllergists often recommend these over first-generation antihistamines due to the lower chance of causing sedation, while maintaining the same, if not more, clinical efficacy for treating allergic conditions,\u201d Dr. McDanel adds.<\/p>\n

She also encourages steroid nasal sprays, addressing underlying medical conditions and talking to your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Dr. Nguyen mentions prescription medication, such as montelukast, and allergy shots. \u201cAllergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe allergies,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong>FDA Warns of Newly Identified \u2018Severe\u2019 Risk of Popular Over-the-Counter Allergy Medications<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

For sleep<\/p>\n

If you struggle with sleep, Dr. Allen has several suggestions.\u00a0His first recommendation is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia<\/a> (CBT-I). \u201cThis is the gold standard for chronic sleep problems,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Sleep hygiene<\/a> is still important too. Need a refresher on what that looks like? Dr. Allen encourages the following:<\/p>\n