Is there any way for people to find out which drugs can affect mental ability in older individuals?
A. A surprising number of drugs can affect memory and mental sharpness, and elderly people are more vulnerable to this problem. We have even heard of individuals being diagnosed with dementia although their mental confusion was drug-induced. Unfortunately, older people take many medicines that might have this impact, such as drugs like Detrol, Ditropan or Toviaz for overactive bladder, Benadryl (DPH) for allergies or meclizine for dizziness. We have prepared a list of medications best avoided by seniors in our new Guide to Drugs and Older People. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy No. O-85, P.O. Box 52027 Durham, N.C. 27717-2027 Q. I have a horrible urinary-tract infection. The doctor put me on Macrobid, but after taking it for a week, I still have the infection. I was given a prescription for seven days of Septra. I am on warfarin. Will the Septra work? I
