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Medicines That Can Cause Confusion or a Decreased Alertness

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause confusion or make you less alert. A few examples are:

  • Antidepressants.
  • Antihistamines.
  • Narcotic pain medicines.
  • Sedatives and tranquilizers.
  • Medicines for bladder control problems (anticholinergics).

Contact your doctor before you stop taking or reduce the dose of a regular prescription medicine, unless you believe you are having a serious side effect or an allergic reaction.

  • Stopping some medicines suddenly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms in people who have become dependent.
  • Some medicines need to be stopped gradually to prevent problems. Examples of medicines that can cause problems if you stop them suddenly include prednisone, clonidine, and many tranquilizers, sleeping medicines, and antidepressants.

If you have questions about any medicines and their effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking one of the above medicines or recently started a new medicine and are having problems with side effects, call the doctor who prescribed your medicine to report and talk about your symptoms. Your doctor may change your dosage or change or discontinue your medicine. An office visit may not be needed.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised January 12, 2011

Last Revised: January 12, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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