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Deprescribing: Right-Sizing Medication Regimens to Optimize Outcomes in Palliative Care

  • Palliative Care (D Wu, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to describe the current state of polypharmacy in older adults and those with an advanced illness, evidence that supports deprescribing, and best practices to implement deprescribing in palliative care.

Recent Findings

Practitioners and patients indicate they are interested in reducing the number of medications prescribed, but there are barriers to this practice. Over 90% of Medicare beneficiaries stated they would be willing to stop taking one or more of their medications if endorsed by their doctor. Several tools have become available in recent years to assist practitioners make more consistent decisions about deprescribing.

Summary

Deprescribing is a patient-centric, important part of the prescribing process, and it is imperative that providers make this clear in conversations with patients and families. Tools and processes are available to assist providers in having these conversations and making these important decisions in caring for older adults and palliative care patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palliative Care, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, DC, 110 Irvin St, NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA

    Alexandra L. McPherson

  2. University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 N. Pine St, S405, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Mary Lynn McPherson

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Correspondence to Mary Lynn McPherson.

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Alexandra McPherson and Mary Lynn McPherson declare no conflict of interest.

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McPherson, A.L., McPherson, M.L. Deprescribing: Right-Sizing Medication Regimens to Optimize Outcomes in Palliative Care. Curr Geri Rep 8, 21–30 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-019-0274-4

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