Question:

I have read that one cause of dementia can be an "adverse reaction to medication." Has Xanax been known to cause dementia?

Answer

No, although it can cause symptoms that look like dementia.

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam. It belongs in the benzodiazepine drug class that includes diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). All cause sedation and decreased alertness.

Dementia is a brain disorder that leads to difficulty with memory, as well as processing and understanding information. Dementia has many causes, including Alzheimer's disease and circulatory problems.

Many drugs, such as Xanax, can temporarily cause some symptoms that are similar to those of dementia. People may be confused and have difficulty thinking. But because they are temporary, the confusion and thinking problems are more like delirium. When medication related, the symptons should resolve once the person stops the offending drug.

While there is an association of long-term daily use of benzodiazepines with a higher dementia risk, there is no evidence of a direct cause of dementia from these medications. However, when a benzodiazepine drug is needed, it's best to use the lowest effective dose for short periods of time.