As people get older, it becomes increasingly common to take several prescription medications every day. These medicines can help manage chronic health conditions, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life.
However, taking many medications at the same time can also create challenges. Some medicines may no longer be necessary, some may cause unwanted side effects, and others may interact with each other in ways that affect a person’s health.
A growing number of older adults are becoming interested in a process known as deprescribing. Deprescribing means carefully reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be needed. The goal is not simply to take fewer pills.
Instead, the goal is to make sure that every medication a person uses continues to provide more benefits than risks.
A recent national poll conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan found that many older Americans are open to this idea. The survey included adults between the ages of 50 and 80 and revealed that about 80% would be willing to stop taking one or more long-term prescription medications if their doctor recommended it.
The results show that many people are thinking carefully about the medicines they take. Among those surveyed, 82% reported taking at least one prescription medication regularly.
More than one-quarter said they felt they might be taking too many medications. In addition, nearly one-third said they had stopped taking at least one medication during the previous two years.
The findings highlight an important issue facing healthcare systems around the world. As people live longer, many develop multiple health conditions that require treatment.
A person may take medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, sleep problems, or other conditions. Over time, the total number of medications can increase, making treatment plans more complicated.
While medications can be highly beneficial, taking many drugs at once may increase the risk of side effects. Some people experience dizziness, tiredness, confusion, stomach problems, or other unwanted symptoms.
Older adults can be especially sensitive to these effects because the body processes medications differently with age. Reducing unnecessary medications may sometimes lower these risks and improve daily well-being.
Deprescribing can also reduce healthcare costs and make medication schedules easier to manage. For some people, fewer medications can mean fewer trips to the pharmacy and less worry about remembering multiple doses throughout the day.
However, experts strongly emphasize that stopping medications should never be done casually. One concerning finding from the University of Michigan poll was that 35% of people who had stopped a long-term medication said they did so without first speaking to a healthcare professional.
This can be dangerous because some medications must be reduced gradually rather than stopped suddenly.
For example, abruptly stopping certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, anti-anxiety drugs, or steroid treatments can cause withdrawal symptoms or lead to serious health problems.
In some cases, the original condition may return or worsen. This is why healthcare providers recommend careful planning and monitoring whenever medications are changed.
The poll also revealed that older adults have high expectations when it comes to medication reviews. More than 90% of participants said they expected their doctor to review their medications at least once every year. Yet research suggests that these reviews do not always occur as regularly as patients would like.
A medication review is an important healthcare service. During the review, a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional examines all the medications a person is taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
The purpose is to identify medications that may no longer be necessary, medicines that could be causing side effects, or combinations that may interact with each other.
These reviews can be especially valuable for people who take several medications or who have experienced new symptoms that may be related to their treatment. In many cases, comprehensive medication reviews are covered by Medicare and other health insurance plans, making them accessible to many older adults.
Experts recommend that anyone interested in reducing medications start by having an open conversation with their healthcare provider.
Patients can ask whether all of their current medications are still needed and whether a formal medication review would be helpful. If a medication is identified as a candidate for deprescribing, the healthcare provider can develop a safe plan for reducing or stopping it.
It is also important for patients to pay attention to how they feel during the process. Any new symptoms or health changes should be reported promptly so that treatment plans can be adjusted if necessary.
Ultimately, deprescribing is not about avoiding medications. Many medicines remain essential and life-saving. Instead, it is about making sure that treatment stays appropriate as a person’s health needs change over time.
Research suggests that many older adults are interested in having these conversations and want to play an active role in decisions about their care.
With careful guidance from healthcare professionals, deprescribing may help reduce side effects, simplify treatment, improve quality of life, and ensure that every medication continues to serve a useful purpose.
For people taking multiple medications, discussing the topic with a doctor or pharmacist may be an important step toward safer and more personalized healthcare.
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