Long-term use of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep problems may lead to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study released Tuesday in the British Medical Journal.
Elderly people who used benzodiazepines — marketed under such brands as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin — for three months or more saw up to a
51 percent increase in their risk for Alzheimer’s disease, The Washington Post reported.
The researchers didn’t know whether the drugs caused the increased risk or whether anxiety and sleep disorders could be associated with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Special: Know These 3 Warning Signs You're About to Get Dementia
But the researchers said the link was even strong for longer use of the drug, making it worthy of further study.
The study gauged the intensity of benzodiazepine use, The Los Angeles Times reported, with those taking the cumulative equivalent of daily doses for three to six months during a five-year period being 32 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and those taking a full daily dose for more than six months being 84 percent more likely to develop the disease.
The research supports previous studies that found a link between increased risk of Alzheimer’s and long-term use of benzodiazepines.
The American Geriatrics Society urges caution in prescribing benzodiazepines, which have been linked to
car crashes, falls, and hip fractures in older adults, according to USA Today.
Twitter users offered mixed reactions.
Special: Know These 3 Warning Signs You're About to Get Dementia
Related Stories:
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.