In this episode, we discuss the approach to deprescribing for several drugs such as benzodiazepine receptor agonists, cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antipsychotics, and antihyperglycemics.
Key Concepts
- Medication appropriateness including indication and risk vs. benefit should be evaluated for all stages of life; however, more importantly in older individuals to address polypharmacy.
- There is an emerging trend of deprescribing networks that conduct research and provide evidence-based recommendations for how to deprescribe certain medications used for specific indications.
- Evidence-based deprescribing guidelines for PPIs, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine receptor agonists, opioids, antipsychotics, cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and antihyperglycemics are available for patient-provider shared decision making.
- A general deprescribing approach is gradual tapering of the drug leading to discontinuation over several weeks while monitoring patients for withdrawal symptoms or benefits of discontinuation.
References
- http://deprescribing.org
- https://www.australiandeprescribingnetwork.com.au