Feb 4, - Benzodiazepines have been linked to dementia in the past. problems, were linked to increased risk for Alzheimer's disease in elderly people. With any drug whose action is on the brain, and whose side effects are largely. Jun 12, - Video Doctors Tweet Things They've Heard From Patients Alzheimer's and Agitation: Treatments That Help Side effects of these medicines can include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and anxiety. (Xanax), buspirone (BuSpar), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax), often cause drowsiness. Aug 25, - While dementia is marked by such cognitive deficits as The benzodiazepines with shorter half-lives, such as lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam Side effects include sedation, amnesia, confusion and a paradoxical response.