Many older adults take five, six, or even more medications every day. Some of these pills were prescribed years ago for conditions that have changed-or even disappeared. But no one ever sat down to ask: Do you still need this? You might feel tired all the time, dizzy when you stand up, or confused after dinner. You assume it’s just aging. But it could be your meds.
Deprescribing isn’t about stopping everything. It’s about removing what’s no longer helping-and keeping what still does. The goal isn’t fewer pills. It’s better days. Better sleep. Better balance. More time with your grandkids without feeling foggy or wobbly.
Here’s the hard truth: doctors rarely bring this up first. A 2021 study found that 68% of seniors would like to take fewer medications-but only 1 in 5 ever had the conversation started by their provider. That means you have to lead it.
Why This Conversation Matters Right Now
In 2025, over 40% of Americans over 65 take five or more prescription drugs. That number jumps to 65% for those in nursing homes. And here’s what happens when you take too many: 1 in 6 seniors ends up in the ER because of a bad reaction. Dizziness. Falls. Confusion. Kidney damage. These aren’t side effects you just live with-they’re warning signs.
Some medications are meant for short-term use. Like painkillers after surgery. Or antibiotics for an infection. But they often keep getting refilled year after year. Others, like statins or blood pressure drugs, might have been necessary 10 years ago-but now your heart is stable, your blood pressure is low, and you’re taking three pills that all do the same thing.
There’s also the issue of drug interactions. A 2023 review found that seniors on six or more medications have a 50% higher chance of a dangerous interaction. And many of those interactions aren’t listed on the bottle. Your pharmacist might know-but your doctor might not, unless you tell them exactly what you’re taking.
Prepare Before You Walk In
You wouldn’t go to a job interview without a resume. Don’t go to your doctor without a medication list.
Start by writing down every pill, patch, cream, vitamin, and supplement you take. Include:
- The name (brand or generic)
- The dose (e.g., 10 mg, 500 mg)
- How often you take it (once a day? at bedtime?)
- Why you take it (if you know)
- Any side effects you’ve noticed
Don’t forget the over-the-counter stuff. Ibuprofen. Antacids. Sleep aids. Herbal teas. These all interact with prescriptions. In fact, 23% of patients leave out OTC meds when asked-and that’s often the missing piece doctors need.
Then, pick one or two medications you’re most worried about. Maybe it’s the sleeping pill that leaves you groggy all day. Or the blood pressure pill that makes you feel faint when you stand up. Don’t try to tackle them all at once. Start with what’s hurting your daily life.
Use the Right Words
How you say it matters more than what you say.
Saying “I want to take fewer pills” often gets dismissed. Doctors hear that all the time-and they think you’re asking for shortcuts, not safety.
Instead, tie your request to your life:
- “I’ve been falling more often lately, and I think the sleeping pill might be making me dizzy.”
- “I used to walk my dog every morning. Now I’m too tired after lunch. Could one of these meds be causing that?”
- “I want to stay independent. I don’t want to end up in the hospital because of a bad reaction.”
Research shows that when patients frame deprescribing around quality-of-life goals-like staying active, avoiding falls, or staying alert-doctors are 89% more likely to agree to a plan.
Also, avoid talking about cost. While saving money matters, studies show that only 24% of patients respond well to “this drug is expensive.” Focus on safety, function, and how you feel.
Ask the Right Questions
Don’t wait for your doctor to lead. Ask these questions:
- “Which of my medications are still serving a purpose?”
- “Is there one you think I might not need anymore?”
- “Could any of these be making my dizziness or confusion worse?”
- “What would happen if we tried stopping or lowering the dose of [medication]?”
- “How would we know if it’s safe to reduce this? What signs should I watch for?”
Use the “ask-tell-ask” method:
- Ask: “What’s your view on how my medications are working for me?”
- Tell: “I’ve noticed I’ve been dizzy after taking my blood pressure pill. I’m worried about falling.”
- Ask: “What’s the safest way to test if we can reduce this?”
This approach makes it a partnership, not a demand. And it works. Patients who use this method are 58% more likely to have at least one medication safely reduced.
Expect Gradual Changes
Deprescribing isn’t a switch you flip. It’s a slow turn.
Most successful cases involve lowering doses over weeks or months-not stopping cold turkey. Your doctor might suggest:
- Reducing the dose by 25% every 2-4 weeks
- Trying a “drug holiday”-skipping a pill every other day for a week
- Switching to a different medication with fewer side effects
They’ll want you to track how you feel during the process. Keep a simple journal:
- Day 1: Took pill as usual. Felt dizzy after lunch.
- Day 7: Dose cut in half. Dizziness less frequent.
- Day 14: Stopped pill. No dizziness. Better sleep.
Bring this journal to your next visit. It gives your doctor real data-not guesses.
What If They Say No?
Some doctors will push back. Maybe they’re worried about your blood pressure spiking. Or your cholesterol rising. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean the conversation is over.
Ask: “What’s the biggest risk if we don’t change anything?” and “What’s the biggest risk if we do?”
Then suggest a trial: “Could we try reducing it for 6 weeks and see how I feel? I’ll check in weekly.”
If your doctor still refuses, ask for a referral to a geriatrician or a pharmacist who specializes in medication reviews. Medicare now covers a yearly medication review as part of the Annual Wellness Visit. You’re entitled to it.
Bring Support
Bring a family member or friend to the appointment. Not to speak for you-but to listen, take notes, and help you remember what was said. Studies show that patients who bring a companion are 42% more likely to have a clear plan after the visit.
And if you’re the caregiver for someone else, don’t wait for them to speak up. Bring the list. Ask the questions. Say: “They’ve been feeling off lately. Could any of these meds be contributing?”
What Happens After?
Once you start deprescribing, you’ll need to stay alert. Some side effects fade quickly. Others take weeks to show up. Watch for:
- New fatigue or confusion
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Return of old symptoms (like high blood pressure or pain)
If something feels wrong, call your doctor. Don’t restart the medication on your own. But don’t ignore red flags either.
Most people who successfully deprescribe report feeling more alert, sleeping better, and having more energy. One 78-year-old woman in Portland stopped her antipsychotic after 8 years. She hadn’t realized she was taking it for a past episode of agitation. After stopping, she started gardening again. Said it felt like “getting her life back.”
Resources to Help You
You don’t have to do this alone. There are free, trustworthy tools:
- The Beers Criteria lists medications that are risky for seniors.
- The STOPP/START guidelines help identify inappropriate prescriptions and missed ones.
- The Canadian Deprescribing Network has easy-to-read guides for common meds like benzodiazepines, proton pump inhibitors, and anticholinergics.
Print one or two pages from these sites. Bring them to your appointment. It shows you’ve done your homework-and it gives your doctor a starting point.
Medicare’s 2024 rules now require doctors to review medications during annual wellness visits. That means this conversation isn’t just helpful-it’s now part of standard care. You’re not asking for something extra. You’re asking for what you’re already entitled to.
Deprescribing isn’t about giving up. It’s about choosing what matters. Your time. Your balance. Your peace of mind. You’ve earned that.
Can I just stop taking a medication if I think it’s not helping?
No. Stopping certain medications suddenly can be dangerous. Blood pressure pills, antidepressants, seizure meds, and steroids need to be tapered slowly. Stopping cold turkey can cause rebound high blood pressure, seizures, panic attacks, or severe withdrawal. Always work with your doctor to create a safe, step-by-step plan.
What if my doctor says I need all these meds for my health?
Ask for specifics. “Which one is most important for my current goals?” or “What’s the evidence that this still benefits me now, compared to when I started?” Many meds were prescribed for conditions that have changed. For example, a statin might have been needed when your cholesterol was 280-but now it’s 170 and stable. Your doctor may not realize your situation has shifted unless you tell them.
Will reducing meds make my condition worse?
It’s possible-but the risk is often lower than you think. Many older adults take meds for conditions that are no longer active. For example, a 75-year-old with well-controlled hypertension might be on three blood pressure pills. Reducing one or two often doesn’t raise blood pressure at all. Studies show that 60-70% of deprescribing attempts don’t lead to worsening symptoms. The key is doing it slowly and monitoring closely.
How long does it take to see results after stopping a medication?
It varies. Some side effects, like dizziness or brain fog, improve within days. Others, like muscle weakness from long-term steroid use, can take weeks or months. Withdrawal symptoms (like rebound anxiety or insomnia) usually show up within the first 1-2 weeks. That’s why tracking your symptoms in a journal is so important. It helps you and your doctor know if changes are due to stopping the med-or something else.
Is deprescribing covered by insurance?
Yes. Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit now includes a required medication review. Many private insurers cover medication therapy management (MTM) services for seniors on multiple drugs. These services are often provided by pharmacists and can help identify unnecessary or risky meds. You don’t pay extra-it’s part of your benefits.
Lauren Dare
December 10, 2025 AT 21:14Oh great, another article telling seniors they’re being overmedicated-like we haven’t been screaming this from the rooftops for decades. Meanwhile, my doctor still prescribes me a new pill every time I sneeze. I’ve got six meds for ‘prevention,’ but zero for ‘why do I feel like a zombie after lunch?’ The real issue isn’t deprescribing-it’s that medicine treats symptoms like a to-do list, not a person.
Gilbert Lacasandile
December 10, 2025 AT 21:32I really appreciate how practical this is. My mom started keeping a little notebook like they suggested-just the meds, doses, and when she felt off. We brought it to her appointment last week, and the doc actually paused, looked at it, and said, ‘Huh. We’ve been doubling up on the blood pressure stuff.’ She’s down to two fewer pills now and actually slept through the night last week. Small wins, right?
Morgan Tait
December 10, 2025 AT 23:31Let me guess-Big Pharma didn’t fund this article. 🤔 You know what they don’t tell you? That 90% of those ‘necessary’ meds were pushed by reps with free lunches and ‘educational grants.’ My uncle was on five anticholinergics for 12 years. Turns out his ‘dementia’ was just withdrawal from a benzo he never needed. The system’s rigged. They make money off dependency, not health. And now they’re selling ‘wellness’ as a buzzword to keep you hooked. Wake up. It’s not aging-it’s corporate greed wrapped in a stethoscope.
Christian Landry
December 11, 2025 AT 22:58OMG YES. I showed this to my pops and he was like ‘wait… i’ve been taking this thing for 15 yrs just bc my doc said so?’ We made a list and he’s cutting his sleeping pill in half this week. Felt so good to finally do something. Thx for the journal tip too 😊
Katie Harrison
December 12, 2025 AT 07:01Mona Schmidt
December 14, 2025 AT 03:44One thing this article misses: deprescribing isn’t just for seniors. I’m 42, and I’ve been on an SSRI for anxiety since my early 30s. My doctor never asked if I still needed it-just kept renewing it. When I finally asked to taper, he said, ‘You’ve been stable for years.’ That’s not a reason to keep taking it. It’s a reason to try letting go. I’ve been off for six months. No relapse. Just more clarity. This conversation needs to start earlier.
Guylaine Lapointe
December 14, 2025 AT 22:27Ugh. Another ‘feel-good’ piece from people who’ve never had to navigate Medicare’s labyrinthine bureaucracy. My mother tried to get a medication review. They told her she needed a referral from a specialist who doesn’t take Medicare. Then she waited three months. When she finally got in, they said, ‘We can’t change anything without a new lab panel.’ So she paid $400 for bloodwork she didn’t need. This isn’t empowerment-it’s a bureaucratic nightmare dressed up as a public service.
Sarah Gray
December 15, 2025 AT 15:50