A new study from Barcelona finds that taking multiple medications is associated with a higher risk of memory gaps and confusion in older adults. More than 60 percent of patients were exposed to drugs that could worsen cognitive decline, prompting calls for urgent prescription reviews.
More than 60 percent of older adults with memory problems are taking at least one medication that could worsen their cognitive symptoms, information from new research from Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona. The risk is even higher among those prescribed ten or more drugs at once: nearly 89 percent in this group are exposed to potentially harmful treatments. For Spain’s aging population, this poses a direct threat to safety and independence.
Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, the study reviewed 2,379 medical records from January 2024 to April 2025. It found that 67 percent of patients with memory complaints were taking five or more medications at the same time, a situation known as polypharmacy. About 21 percent were taking ten or more drugs, classified as hyperpolypharmacy. Overall, 61.6 percent of patients were exposed to at least one drug that could worsen cognitive function; the figure rose to 74.5 percent among those with polypharmacy.
Benzodiazepines and drugs with anticholinergic effects were among the most concerning. Both types act on the central nervous system and can mask or worsen symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. This can make early diagnosis harder and increase the risk of side effects, especially for patients with reduced kidney function, a problem found in more than 20 percent of those studied. Official drug information, including the DailyMed entry for amitriptyline, notes that central anticholinergic effects in older adults can include confusion and memory problems. It also lists slowed movement, sedation and delirium.
Many older adults need several prescriptions to manage chronic illnesses, but risks arise when no one regularly checks whether each drug is still needed or safe to combine. The study’s lead author, Xavier Morató, stressed that medication management should be part of every clinical evaluation for patients with cognitive decline. Without careful review, the risk of drug interactions and toxic buildup increases, especially when kidney function is impaired. The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service also notes that reducing the number or frequency of medications, when possible, can help patients stick to their treatment and lower their overall medication burden. This reinforces the need for regular reviews in older adults.
The findings point to a wider challenge for Spain’s healthcare system: meeting the needs of an aging society. As seen in recent reports about hospital prioritization in Madrid, system pressures can lead to shortcuts that put patients at risk. The new data from Barcelona show why routine medication reviews and personalized care plans matter, particularly as the number of elderly Spaniards continues to rise.
Nearly 30 percent of Spain’s population is expected to be over 65 by 2050, making the management of chronic illnesses and multiple prescriptions more challenging. Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona’s findings identify unchecked medication regimens as a major clinical risk. The Spanish health system needs to prioritize regular prescription reviews and invest in training doctors and caregivers to spot dangerous drug combinations. Without these steps, vulnerable patients will remain at risk of preventable harm, and care for Spain’s elderly may suffer.
