You’ve probably been prescribed multiple medications over the years, but have you heard of “deprescribing”? In some cases, it can be just as important as prescribing the medication in the first place.
Nearly 50% of people in the United States take at least one prescription medication, a number that increases steadily as we get older. A 2023 study found that 85% of adults age 60 and older take at least one medication.
Many people, particularly older adults, take multiple prescription drugs. These medications are often needed for treating chronic health conditions, but taking multiple medications can also sometimes be dangerous.
That’s why people of all ages should have regular conversations with their medical providers about the medications they take and whether they’re necessary.
Preparing for the Conversation
Before your next medical appointment, take a look at all the medications you’re taking, both on a regular basis and occasionally. Do some research into why you’re taking those medications and identify how they make you feel.
Take special note of any medications you feel are causing side effects, as well as any medications you think may not be working as they should.
In some cases, you may find that you’re taking one medication to counteract the side effects of another medication. This is known as a “prescription cascade,” where one medication leads to another. It may be better to simply change the initial medication rather than prescribing a second medication to treat a known side effect.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
At your appointment, talk with your provider about your concerns. Plan out what you’d like to talk about beforehand so you don’t lose track. Some questions you may want to ask include:
- For what condition am I taking this medication?
- Is this medication still necessary?
- Do I need to take this medication all the time?
- Would a different medication cause fewer side effects?
- Are there other treatment options that could help?
You may find that you can discontinue one or more of your current prescription medications. This may improve your health by lowering the risk of medication interactions and potential side effects, while still effectively treating any medical conditions you have.
Collaborating on a Deprescribing Plan
If you and your provider determine that not all of your medications are necessary, the next step is to talk about safely deprescribing that medication. It’s important to never stop taking medication on your own. Some medications can cause serious side effects if you stop cold turkey, so you’ll need to know how to safely and appropriately stop your specific medication.
Gradually Lower Your Dosage
Talk with your provider about how to stop that medication. You may be able to stop it abruptly, but you may need to wean off the medication by taking a gradually lowered dosage or by taking the medication at a different frequency.
Be Aware of New or Returning Symptoms
As you discontinue a medication, it’s important to keep an eye on your health. Watch for any changes in how you feel, along with any recurring or new symptoms that develop. Check in with your medical provider or a pharmacist if you don’t feel quite right or have questions during the deprescribing process.
At your next medical visit, your provider can gauge your health, including how well any chronic conditions are managed, after you’ve stopped a medication.
Be Smart about Adding to Your Prescriptions
It’s not uncommon to have multiple medical providers, even at a young age. A young woman, for example, may see a primary care provider, an OB/GYN and a dermatologist. Older adults often see more than one specialist, such as a cardiologist, a urologist or an oncologist.
Use Your Patient Portal
Seeing medical providers within the same health system or practice, such as University Health, is a good first step toward ensuring medication safety. Thanks to our patient portal, your primary care physician has access to all your clinical notes from other University Health providers. This allows them to cross-reference your medication list when prescribing new meds.
Also, keep a list of your current medications and the medication bottles handy during medical appointments to share with your providers.
Use One Pharmacy
Whenever possible, have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy rather than multiple pharmacies. This provides another layer of protection for preventing medication interactions and prescription cascades because a pharmacist can view your full list of medications when dispensing new meds.
Finally, don’t just take a medication for the sake of taking one. Carefully consider any new medication a provider prescribes and ask whether it’s truly necessary for treating a health issue or if other therapies would help.
Pharmacies at University Health
Have questions about your medications? University Health pharmacists are here to help you navigate your list of prescriptions. Find a pharmacy near you.
