Helpful Insights forPatients and Caregivers

Deprescribing

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What is deprescribing?

Deprescribing is the process of reducing or stopping medications that may not be needed, may not work well, or may not be a good fit for an individual. This process is used to improve quality of life and reduce the number of medications.

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References

  1. Farrell B, Mangin D. Deprescribing Is an Essential Part of Good Prescribing. Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(1):7-9. PubMed PMID: 30600973.
  2. Garfinkel D, Mangin D. Feasibility study of a systematic approach for discontinuation of multiple medications in older adults: addressing polypharmacy. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(18):1648-54. DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2010.355. PubMed PMID: 20937924.
  3. Hilmer SN, Gnjidic D. The effects of polypharmacy in older adults. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2009;85(1):86-8. DOI: 10.1038/clpt.2008.224. PubMed PMID: 19037203.
  4. Scott IA, Gray LC, Martin JH, Pillans PI, Mitchell CA. Deciding when to stop: towards evidence-based deprescribing of drugs in older populations. Evid Based Med. 2013;18(4):121-4. DOI: 10.1136/eb-2012-100930. PubMed PMID: 23136399.
  5. Steinman MA. Polypharmacy and the balance of medication benefits and risks. Am J Geriatric Pharmacother. 2007;5(4):314-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.amjopharm.2007.12.009. PubMed PMID: 18179988.
  6. Thompson W, Farrell B. Deprescribing: what is it and what does the evidence tell us?. CJHP. 2013;66(3):201-2. DOI: 10.4212/cjhp.v66i3.1261. PubMed PMID: 23814291; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3694945.