6 Medication Side Effects People Mistake for Aging

Summary

Dr. Alex explains that symptoms sometimes blamed on ageing—such as swollen ankles, fatigue, dizziness, tingling, confusion, and forgetfulness—may be medication side effects.

Do not stop or change prescribed medicines without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. Some medicines can be dangerous to stop suddenly.

Six Medication Effects Discussed

1. Swollen ankles — amlodipine

Amlodipine relaxes small arteries, which can allow fluid to collect around the ankles. Swelling may worsen later in the day and can appear months or years after starting the medicine.

Diuretics (“water pills”) often do not help much. A clinician may consider a lower dose, a different medicine, or another blood-pressure treatment.

Seek same-day medical assessment for sudden or one-sided swelling, especially if the leg is hot or painful, you feel unwell or feverish, or you are short of breath.

2. Tiredness or getting short of breath more easily — beta-blockers

Beta-blockers slow the heart and limit how much it can speed up during activity, which may make exertion feel harder.

If this persists, discuss it with a clinician; a dose adjustment or alternative may be considered. When exercising, pay attention to how you feel rather than relying only on a fitness watch’s heart-rate zones.

Seek urgent care for a consistently very low pulse, dizziness or fainting, or new breathing difficulty. Do not stop beta-blockers abruptly unless instructed by a clinician.

3. Dizziness on standing — prostate or blood-pressure medicines

Medicines such as tamsulosin and doxazosin, as well as some other blood-pressure medicines and diuretics, can contribute to a blood-pressure drop when standing.

Helpful measures include sitting on the edge of the bed before standing, flexing your calves, and holding onto something when rising. Ask for your blood pressure to be checked both lying down and standing.

Any fall or faint needs assessment. Fainting during exertion or alongside chest pain or a racing heart requires urgent medical attention.

4. Tingling or numbness — metformin or acid-reducing medicines

Metformin and some heartburn medicines may reduce vitamin B12 absorption over time. Low B12 can cause tingling, numbness, unsteadiness, tiredness, and other symptoms.

Ask a clinician whether a B12 blood test is appropriate, ideally before starting supplements. The speaker says metformin can usually continue while B12 is corrected, but advises against stopping heartburn medicine suddenly because reflux can rebound.

5. Confusion or unsteadiness — some diuretics and antidepressants

Thiazide diuretics and some antidepressants (SSRIs) can contribute to low blood sodium, which may cause vague symptoms such as tiredness, headache, nausea, confusion, or unsteadiness.

If symptoms worsen in the weeks after starting one of these medicines, ask a clinician about checking sodium with a blood test.

Sudden confusion, severe drowsiness, or a seizure requires immediate medical attention.

6. Forgetfulness or “brain fog” — anticholinergic medicines

Medicines such as amitriptyline, oxybutynin, and some older antihistamines can affect memory and concentration. They may also cause dry mouth, constipation, or difficulty urinating.

Their effects can add up when several are taken together. If memory worsens after starting one, ask a doctor or pharmacist for a medication review. Do not stop them suddenly; some need to be tapered.

Practical Takeaways

• If new symptoms appear after starting a medicine or changing its dose, consider whether the medicine could be contributing.
• Bring a complete list—or the actual packages—of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements to a clinician.
• Ask for a medication review, including whether any medicine could be reduced, changed, or is no longer needed.
• The speaker recommends reviewing medications at least once a year, particularly as people get older.
• The video also discusses pharmacogenomic testing, which examines how genes may affect responses to some medicines. The speaker says results should be reviewed with a clinician and should not be used as a reason to stop medication.

Presenters and Sources Mentioned

• Presenter: Dr. Alex, an NHS doctor.
• Sponsor discussed: AttōDiagnostics / AttoPGx (the subtitles render the name inconsistently).
• Sources cited in the video: An unnamed government study on drug-related hospital admissions; the UK medicines regulator; and an unnamed large UK study on anticholinergic medicines and dementia risk.