Why You Should Have an Annual Medication Review When You Have Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
Published on October 05, 2026
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Managing medications can get challenging for anyone, and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease can make it extra difficult to organize doses and schedules, especially when you take multiple medications a day.
“Alzheimer's disease commonly causes memory issues in early stages,” says Douglas Scharre, MD, a neurologist and a professor of neurology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine in Columbus. When you have early-stage Alzheimer’s, you may have more trouble remembering to fill your prescriptions and take them on time.
A doctor or pharmacist can help you by reviewing your medications regularly. During a medical review, your provider will check all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you currently take to make sure they are necessary and safe.
What Is an Annual Medication Review?
An annual medication review gives you and your provider a chance to double-check your treatments and make changes if needed.
Many providers now use electronic records, which helps them stay up-to-date with your current medications. But they will also want to see your pill bottles, which allows them to catch any old doses or mismatches in the information they have.
“The first thing that is reviewed at every appointment is the current medication list, including over-the-counter medications, as these can have an important impact on cognitive symptoms as well as general health,” says Charles Bernick, MD, MPH, a neurologist and the senior director of cognitive disorders at Cleveland Clinic in Las Vegas.
But at an annual wellness visit, your provider may have more time to check over your medications and supplements. Medicare Part D covers “medication therapy management” services for people with Alzheimer’s, which includes an annual medication review. Even if your provider doesn’t mention it, you can ask about this service.
Key Reasons an Annual Review Is Important for Early-Stage Alzheimer’s
It’s important to review your medications regularly when you have early-stage Alzheimer's for several reasons. For example, after reviewing your current meds, your provider may recommend changing a dose, stopping a medication, or starting a new one. A thorough review of your medications offers several possible benefits.
Identify Medications That Worsen Memory
Some medications, even over-the-counter options, could make memory and cognitive symptoms worse themselves, or worsen side effects of prescribed medications, says Dr. Bernick.
“There are also classes of medications including opioids (pain medication), sedatives, and some antibiotics that increase confusion and will make the cognitive impairment seen in Alzheimer's disease worse,” says Dr. Scharre.
Manage Side Effects
“Other medications may have side effects that are more likely to occur in older patients, such as those with Alzheimer's disease,” says Bernick. This can lead to other issues like an increased risk of falls, poor sleep, and urinary problems, he says.
Examples
Side Effects
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Falls, dizziness, constipation, retention of urine
alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium)
Falls with or without injury
Glutamate regulators
memantine (Namenda)
Confusion, dizziness
Muscle relaxers
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), orphenadrine (Norflex)
Falls, dizziness, constipation, retention of urine
Learn How Treatment Is Working
By discussing your medications, side effects, and symptoms, your provider can help you decide if your treatment plan is working or if it needs a change. This evaluation can include medication for Alzheimer’s, but also those for other conditions.
Prevent Dangerous Drug Interactions
Some medications interact with each other when you take them, and your provider or pharmacist can help you spot these combinations. Your provider will take care not to prescribe two medications that could interact.
But when mixed with prescription medications, supplements or over-the-counter drugs can also cause dangerous side effects, like bleeding and liver or kidney problems.
Stop Unnecessary Medication
When your provider looks at all the medications you take, they may see a few you can decrease or stop taking. As you age, your body also processes medication differently, which can mean you need to change doses over time. “It may be possible to reduce or eliminate some of these medications and improve cognitive, memory, and thinking abilities,” says Scharre.
Simplify to Lessen Stress
Your provider can work with you to simplify your medication schedule and make organizing your medications easier for both you and your caregivers. One study of 32 patients with dementia and their caregivers found that those with dementia could manage their medications longer when their routine was simplified.
What Happens During a Medication Review?
During a medication review, your provider will check each one of your medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. “The healthcare provider reviews all medications, the dose, and the frequency of use, and discusses possible side effects in light of the Alzheimer's diagnosis,” says Scharre.
Your provider will look at each pill bottle you brought with you to check for expired prescriptions, old doses, and to make sure everything matches up. They may ask you questions such as:
- Do you take your medications every day?
- Is anyone helping you organize your pills?
- Has another provider prescribed any new medications since we last spoke?
- Have you noticed any side effects from your medications?
- What over-the-counter medications and supplements do you take?
- Do you feel like your medications are working?
At this visit, your provider can also answer questions about your medications and help you develop strategies to take them correctly. For example, you may find it easier to fill a pillbox once a week instead of opening each bottle multiple times per day.
How to Prepare for Your Medication Review
Get the most out of your medication review by coming prepared. “Make a comprehensive list of all meds and their doses and frequency of use including over-the-counter medications,” says Scharre.
Gather all the pill bottles you use, including nonprescription meds and any supplements. Write down your questions ahead of time, in case you forget them during your visit. Also record any side effects you have and bring that list with your meds.
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Medication Management Services
- Cleveland Clinic: Medication Management
- UCHealth: Medication Management: Why Medication Reviews Are So Important.
- Johns Hopkins University: Medication Management and Safety Tips
- Alzheimer’s Association: Medication Safety
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
- O'Conor R et al. Managing Medications Among Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Patient-Caregiver Perspectives. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. July 15, 2024.
- Medication Safety. Alzheimer's Association.
- Blocker K. Medication Management: Why Medication Reviews Are So Important. UCHealth. February 9, 2026.
- Robberechts A et al. Medication Review: What’s in a Name and What Is It About? Pharmacy. February 19, 2024.
- Why Medication Reviews Are Important. Optum, Inc.
- Murthi S et al. Evaluating EHR-Integrated Digital Technologies for Medication-Related Outcomes and Health Equity in Hospitalised Adults: A Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Systems. August 23, 2024.
- Safety Checks, Drug Management Programs, and Medication Therapy Management. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Medication Therapy Management (MTM) in Medicare Part D. National Council on Aging. December 17, 2025.
- Moon A et al. Risk of Falls or Fall-Related Injuries Associated With Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use Among Older Adults With Dementia. BMC Geriatrics. August 23, 2024.
- Dmochowski RR et al. Increased Risk of Incident Dementia Following Use of Anticholinergic Agents: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‐Analysis. Neurourology and Urodynamics. October 23, 2020.
- Medications for Memory, Cognition and Dementia-Related Behaviors. Alzheimer's Association.
- Medication Management Services. Mayo Clinic.
- Cheong SL et al. Current Pharmacotherapy and Multi-Target Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease. Pharmaceuticals. December 14, 2022.
- Risvoll H et al. Use of Dietary Supplements by Individuals With Dementia - The Caregivers’ Perspective. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. April 25, 2025.
- Merrey J. Medication Management and Safety Tips. Johns Hopkins University. May 1, 2026.
- What Is the Medication Therapy Management Program (MTM)? Humana. January 12, 2026.
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