Anticholinergic agents (such as antihistamines) are among the classes with the highest risk of causing confusion and cognitive impairment. Other classes of medications that cause cognitive impairment are shown below. 


Rutgers University

Delirium can be a side effect of drugs, especially in elderly patients. It is acute in onset and results in fluctuations in cognition, mood, attention, and arousal. Delirium can also be reversed when the underlying causative agent is removed. Prescribers can refer to the Beers Criteria to determine which drugs are linked to cognitive impairment.

Delirium and Cognitive Impairment 

Lane RJ, Routledge PA. Drug-induced neurological disorders. Drugs. 1983;26(2):124-147. doi:10.2165/00003495-198326020-00002



Drug-Induced Neurologic Conditions

Beer's Criteria 

- Impairment of executive functions
- Decrease in working memory
- Lessen ability to problem-solve
- Less ability to verbal reasoning

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