Medications that may impair memory and clear thinking
Many of the medications that are used to help manage chronic pain can impair your memory and ability to think clearly.
- Opioid pain medications commonly impair memory, judgment, and cognition (‘brain fog’).
- Marijuana (in any form) affects memory in the short-term and may have long term effects (this is still being studied).
These include:
- Opioid medications, such as fentanyl, Tylenol # 3TM, tramadol
- Anti-depressant medications such as amitriptyline
- Anti-anxiety drugs, like ValiumTM or AtivanTM
- Sleeping pills (like AmbienTM, BenadrylTM)
- Medical marijuana
- Medications used to treat muscle spasms
Other drugs that can affect your memory or clear thinking are:
- allergy medications (antihistamines)
- cold medicines
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about adjusting your medications to help you. These may include:
- Lowering the dose
- Switching to a different product
- Changing when you take it or how often you take it
- Avoiding taking these drugs in combination with other medications (even non-prescription drugs) or alcohol