Many older adults end up taking multiple medications. Over time, it is important to reassess whether all medications continued to be necessary, effective, and safe. When a medication is no longer necessary, or is doing more harm than good, healthcare providers and patients/care partners can consider stopping the medication or reducing its dose. This is termed “deprescribing.” Deprescribing involves conducting a thorough medication history; gathering and interpreting relevant patient information and goals of care; identifying medications which are no longer necessary, effective, or safe; deciding on and prioritizing which medications to stop or reduce; designing and implementing a care plan; and monitoring progress. All of these steps should be conducted in collaboration with patients/care partners. There is a growing evidence base, and set of resources, to support these various steps but gaps still exist. In this chapter, we review the process and evidence behind deprescribing in the context of a patient case.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Deprescribing in Older People

  • Wade Thompson,
  • Lisa M. McCarthy,
  • Barbara Farrell

摘要

Many older adults end up taking multiple medications. Over time, it is important to reassess whether all medications continued to be necessary, effective, and safe. When a medication is no longer necessary, or is doing more harm than good, healthcare providers and patients/care partners can consider stopping the medication or reducing its dose. This is termed “deprescribing.” Deprescribing involves conducting a thorough medication history; gathering and interpreting relevant patient information and goals of care; identifying medications which are no longer necessary, effective, or safe; deciding on and prioritizing which medications to stop or reduce; designing and implementing a care plan; and monitoring progress. All of these steps should be conducted in collaboration with patients/care partners. There is a growing evidence base, and set of resources, to support these various steps but gaps still exist. In this chapter, we review the process and evidence behind deprescribing in the context of a patient case.