A new study suggests long-term use of many commonly prescribed drugs may be linked to Alzheimers disease.
Researchers followed a group of elderly adults taking valium, Xanax or similar medications to treat insomnia and anxiety, six years later, those who took the drugs for longer than three months were 51% more likely to develop Alzheimers disease, than their peers who took them for a shorter period or not at all.
Experts say while these medications are an effective treatment for sleep and anxiety problems common among older adults, they should be only be used on a temporary basis.
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