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McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

New chapter: Polypharmacy and Deprescribing

2024-03-26

Polypharmacy—the use of multiple medications—is increasingly becoming the norm for older adults. Deprescribing is the planned and supervised process of tapering or stopping a drug that might no longer be of benefit or even be causing harm.

Although there are varying definitions of what constitutes polypharmacy, it is estimated that >60% of older individuals (those aged ≥65 years) use ≥5 prescription medications and ≥20% use >10 medications. Polypharmacy is a complex issue that requires careful evaluation and deprescribing (when appropriate) to prevent harm. By addressing polypharmacy, evaluating medication appropriateness, and implementing deprescribing strategies, health-care professionals can enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and reduce health-care costs.

Full text

To access the chapter, go to Polypharmacy and Deprescribing by Drs Kate Lim, Alexandra Papaioannou, Sharon Marr, and Justin Lee.

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