Common Back-Pain Drug May Be Linked to Higher Dementia Risk, Large Study Finds

First, let’s take a deep breath. 💙

Health headlines can feel scary — especially when they involve medications many of us (or our loved ones) have taken. If you’re here because you saw this headline and felt concerned, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through what this actually means in a calm, clear, balanced way.

A large recent study suggests that long-term use of certain anticholinergic medications may be associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, this study found an association, not proof that these drugs directly cause dementia.

Let’s break it down.

🔍 What Are Anticholinergic Drugs?

Anticholinergic medications work by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a major role in:

Memory
Learning
Muscle movement
Nervous system signaling

Blocking acetylcholine can help treat certain conditions — but over long periods, especially in older adults, reduced acetylcholine activity may affect cognitive function.

Common medications with anticholinergic effects include:

Muscle Relaxants

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Orphenadrine (Norflex)
Carisoprodol (Soma)

Antihistamines

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Overactive Bladder Medications

Oxybutynin (Ditropan)

Certain Antidepressants

Amitriptyline
Paroxetine

Many of these are commonly prescribed — especially muscle relaxants for back pain.

📊 What Did the Study Find?

The large observational study followed over 250,000 adults aged 55 and older. Researchers found:

Daily use of strong anticholinergic drugs for 3+ years was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.
Risk increased with higher total lifetime dose.
Stronger anticholinergic medications showed the strongest link.
Short-term or occasional use was not associated with increased risk.

Again — this does not prove these medications directly cause dementia. It shows correlation, not causation.

⚠️ Why This Matters for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see doctors. Muscle relaxants like Cyclobenzaprine are often prescribed, sometimes for extended periods.

However, research has shown that for many cases of back pain: