Elderly Users of Bladder Drug Risk Dementia, Study

U.S. physicians are commonly prescribing a bladder relaxation drug for elderly patients even though it is “consistently linked” to cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a study released March 27

An international group of researchers found that oxybutynin, a drug designed to control overactive bladder symptoms, was prescribed to 27.3 percent of U.S. of patients over 65, creating potential risks for millions.

Previous studies show that oxybutynin, one of a class of antimuscarinic drugs derived from mushrooms, “is linked to greater cognitive decline in the elderly” and is used as a therapy for millions of patients, the researchers said in ...