Deprescribing: When Less Is More

You can have too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to medications. Polypharmacy (i.e., the regular use of five or more medications) is a growing medical burden in the geriatric population. Polypharmacy is associated with poor adherence; increased risk of drug interactions and adverse drug events; falls; ED visits and hospitalization; poor quality of life; and high costs. One simple strategy to prevent negative consequences of polypharmacy of older adults is deprescribing: the systematic process of reducing or discontinuing a medication.

Download the full article to learn more about drugs to avoid, the health effects of sleep drugs and alternative non-drug therapies.