{"id":78802,"date":"2025-05-06T09:40:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T09:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/78802\/"},"modified":"2025-05-06T09:40:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T09:40:10","slug":"from-39p-over-the-counter-pills-to-free-nhs-jabs-the-5-common-drugs-that-could-slash-your-risk-of-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/78802\/","title":{"rendered":"From 39p over-the-counter pills to free NHS jabs – the 5 common drugs that could slash your risk of dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"

NO doubt you’ve heard the warnings. Drugs come with side effects – often unpleasant, dangerous, in rare cases life-threatening. <\/strong><\/p>\n

But a growing body of research suggests certain over-the-counter medicines you might already have at home could actually benefit your brain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

There are jabs and medicines already available that can offer protection against dementia, studies suggest<\/p>\n

A scientific study published in the journal Nature<\/a> earlier this month suggested that the shingles jab<\/a>, which is available on the NHS, could reduce your risk of dementia<\/a> by 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

Dementia\u00a0was the UK\u2019s\u00a0leading cause of death for the 13th year in a row in 2023<\/a> – around 75,393 people died making up 11.4 per cent of all recorded deaths.<\/p>\n

This shows a steady increase from 74,261 in 2022 and 69,178 in 2021, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.<\/p>\n

Experts say this rise in deaths is partly down to better testing and diagnosis, as well as the inevitability of an ageing population.<\/p>\n

But dementia has also been linked to lifestyle habits like smoking<\/a>, heavy drinking<\/a>, lack of exercise<\/a>, and social isolation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While lifestyle changes are crucial in the fight against dementia, some everyday medications and vaccines – like the shingles jab – could also help lower the risk.<\/p>\n

But before you rush to the pharmacy, Ian Budd, a pharmacist at Chemist4U, tells Sun Health anyone thinking about trying these drugs should speak to their GP first.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t start using them specifically to lower your dementia risk,” he explains. <\/p>\n

“There are potential negative side effects, and more scientific research is needed before these drugs can be recommended to treat the disease.”<\/p>\n

So, how exactly could the shingles jab protect the brain, and are there other medicines that offer similar protection?<\/p>\n

Five simple tests that could indicate dementia1. Shinges vaccines<\/p>\n

SHINGLES is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus as chickenpox<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It usually starts with tingling or burning skin, followed by the telltale rash<\/a> and blisters. Some people also get a fever or feel tired.<\/p>\n

Scientists believe the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles may increase the risk of\u00a0dementia.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a> by Stanford University in the US compared medical records from 280,000 people in Wales before and after the vaccine roll-out began in 2013.<\/p>\n

It found people who received the jab at age 79 were a fifth less likely to have dementia seven years later, in their mid-80s.<\/p>\n

This adds to past findings that suggest the\u00a0herpes viruses increase dementia risk<\/a>\u00a0and vaccination could offer protection.<\/p>\n

“The protective effect of this jab may help stop viral infections that can harm the nervous system,” pharmacist Ian says.<\/p>\n

Until recently, experts believed dementia was mainly triggered by a build-up of harmful proteins in the brain.<\/p>\n

But newer research suggests some cases of the disease may be triggered by viral or bacterial infections. Possibly by viruses travelling to the brain and triggering damage in brain cells.<\/p>\n

Can I get it?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

VACCINES to prevent shingles are already offered free on the NHS to everyone in their 70s.<\/p>\n

Since 2023, it\u2019s also being rolled out to people aged 65 and over, starting with those who turn 65 on or after September 1, 2023.<\/p>\n

Anyone eligible should get a letter from their GP, but you can also check with your surgery if you\u2019re unsure.<\/p>\n

2. Ozempic<\/p>\n

IT’S a drug that has dominated headlines – first as a treatment for type 2 diabetes<\/a>, then as a weight-loss aid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in treatments like Ozempic<\/a> and Wegovy<\/a> – known as GLP-1 agonists – could offer benefits to tackle a range of other conditions, including dementia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s early research suggesting it might lower dementia risk, especially in people with diabetes, by reducing inflammation and keeping blood sugar levels stable,\u201d Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for\u00a0IQdoctor<\/a>, tells Sun Health.<\/p>\n

A new review of 26 clinical trials involving more than 160,000 people found that these drugs<\/a> may significantly reduce the risk of developing any type of dementia.<\/p>\n

Diabetes may be a\u00a0risk factor for dementia, so previous studies have suggested that just controlling blood sugar levels<\/a> produces this protective effect.<\/p>\n

But while most of these drugs didn\u2019t reduce dementia risk, GLP-1 drugs did show a clear link to lower risk.<\/p>\n

“Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, may have a protective effect on brain health,” Dr Catriona Reddin, senior author of the study published in Jama Neurology<\/a> this month, said.<\/p>\n

Although the exact mechanism is still unclear, the drugs have been linked to reduced inflammation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The tests you can do now to reduce dementia risk<\/p>\n