A new study from Barcelona reveals that taking multiple medications sharply increases the risk of memory gaps and confusion in older adults. Over 60 percent of patients were exposed to drugs that could worsen cognitive decline. The findings call for urgent prescription reviews.
More than 60 percent of older adults with memory problems are taking at least one medication that could make their cognitive symptoms worse, according to new research from Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona. The risk climbs even higher for 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 is a direct threat to safety and independence.
The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 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 on ten or more drugs, classified as hyperpolypharmacy. In total, 61.6 percent of all patients were exposed to at least one drug that could worsen cognitive function, and this figure rose to 74.5 percent among those with polypharmacy.
More than 20% of the patients studied had impaired kidney function, increasing the risk of drug accumulation and side effects.
Benzodiazepines and drugs with anticholinergic effects were among the most concerning. Both types act on the central nervous system and can hide or worsen symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. This makes early diagnosis harder and increases the risk of side effects, especially for patients with reduced kidney function—a problem found in over 20 percent of those studied. Official drug information, such as the DailyMed entry for amitriptyline, notes that central anticholinergic effects in older adults can include confusion, memory problems, slowed movement, sedation, and delirium.
Many older adults need several prescriptions to manage chronic illnesses, but the real risk comes from not regularly checking 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 chance of drug interactions and toxic buildup rises, especially when kidney function is already impaired. The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service also points out that reducing the number or frequency of medications, when possible, can help patients stick to their treatment and lower the overall medication burden. This supports the need for regular reviews in older adults.
The findings highlight a wider problem in Spain’s healthcare system: keeping up with 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 shows why routine medication reviews and personalized care plans are urgently needed, especially as the number of elderly Spaniards continues to rise.
The study's results have strengthened arguments for mandatory medication reviews in elderly patients with memory complaints, especially those with polypharmacy and chronic diseases. This is now recognized as a clinical risk requiring therapy reassessment, not just a coincidental factor.
Spain’s population is aging quickly, with nearly 30 percent expected to be over 65 by 2050. This will make managing chronic illnesses and multiple prescriptions even more challenging. The evidence from Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona is clear: unchecked medication regimens are a major clinical risk, not a minor oversight. The Spanish health system needs to make regular prescription reviews a priority and invest in training for doctors and caregivers to spot dangerous drug combinations. Without these steps, the most vulnerable patients will remain at risk of preventable harm, and the quality of care for Spain’s elderly will suffer.
