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What Causes Confusion And Agitation While On Xanax, Aricept And Namenda?

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Posted on Mon, 8 May 2017
Question: My Mother taking Xanax 10mg twice a day, she is also on Aricept 10mg once before bedtime, and Namenda 10mg twice a day. She seem to become more confuse and agitated during the afternoon. She has been taking these medication for about 2 years. She still remember how to dress herself. Pay a lot attention how she look when she leave the house. Can any of this medication dose be increase. And she forgetting who my father is all the time now. Her age is 83 year old. What are some of the question I need to ask her Doctor on her next visit.

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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Xanax use is absolutely not safe after age 65. It causes agitation, confusion, delirium, memory loss, falls, and fractures. She needs to be carefully weaned off this medication as soon as possible. This will improve many of the symptoms above.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (26 minutes later)
What medications will be helpful with her agitation? That I can talk to her doctor about.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
That is the problem -- nothing will be helpful until she is carefully weaned off Xanax. This will have to be done very carefully. Weaning off this medication will help solve the agitation problem.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Confusion And Agitation While On Xanax, Aricept And Namenda?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. Xanax use is absolutely not safe after age 65. It causes agitation, confusion, delirium, memory loss, falls, and fractures. She needs to be carefully weaned off this medication as soon as possible. This will improve many of the symptoms above. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers