Side Effects

Incontinence drugs are linked to cognitive Impairment.

Recent finding: In an eight-year study of 372 men and women age 60 and older, mild cognitive impairment was diagnosed in 80% of those who took an anticholinergic, a class of medication used to treat incontinence as well as cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders.

Theory: These drugs block the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which aids learning and memory.

If your cognitive performance has declined since beginning an anticholinergic drug, talk to your doctor.