Deprescribing: When Stopping Medications Is the Right Choice
When you think of taking medicine, you probably think of getting better. But what if the real solution is to stop taking something? That’s deprescribing, the planned and supervised process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be needed or could be doing more harm than good. Also known as medication reduction, it’s not about quitting pills cold turkey—it’s about making smart, patient-centered decisions with your doctor. Too many people, especially older adults, take multiple drugs for years without ever asking if they still need them. This is called polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications simultaneously, often leading to increased risk of side effects, falls, and hospital visits. Also known as multiple drug use, it’s common in people with chronic conditions—but not always necessary. A 2023 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that nearly 40% of seniors on five or more drugs could safely stop at least one, with fewer side effects and better quality of life afterward.
Drug withdrawal, the process of safely stopping a medication under medical supervision to avoid rebound effects or withdrawal symptoms. Also known as medication discontinuation, it’s not the same as quitting on your own. Some drugs, like proton pump inhibitors or certain antidepressants, can cause rebound symptoms if stopped too fast. Others, like sleeping pills or painkillers, become less effective over time but keep getting refilled. Deprescribing isn’t about fear—it’s about clarity. It means asking: Is this still helping? Could it be hurting me? Are there simpler, safer ways to manage this?
Deprescribing works best when it’s part of a conversation, not a checklist. It’s not just for seniors. People with diabetes, heart disease, or chronic pain often carry medications that were prescribed years ago and never re-evaluated. You might be taking a blood thinner because of an old heart issue, but your stroke risk has dropped. You might still be on a stomach acid drug because you had heartburn once—but now you’re getting headaches from it. These aren’t mistakes. They’re just habits. And habits can be changed.
The posts below show real cases where stopping a drug made a difference: how cutting back on PPIs reduced kidney risks, how tapering off antipsychotics improved mobility, and why some people with high blood pressure do better without five different pills. You’ll see how people worked with their doctors to safely reduce meds, what signs to watch for, and how to start the conversation yourself. This isn’t about rejecting treatment. It’s about choosing only what truly belongs in your life.
Pharmacist-Led Substitution Programs: How They Work and What They Achieve
Pharmacist-led substitution programs reduce adverse drug events by 49%, cut hospital readmissions by up to 22%, and save $1,200-$3,500 per patient. Learn how they work, why they’re more effective than doctor-led reviews, and where they’re still lacking.
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