Deprescription for Individuals with Chronic Medical Conditions May Be Effective, But Has Challenges

​​​Research suggests that deprescription may be an effective practice for certain drug classes when closely monitored, but deprescription of other drug classes proved more resistant, even when partnered with intense intervention, according to a study published in the November 2018 issue of JAMDA. Deprescription is a protocol for withdrawing inappropriate drugs, with supervision by a healthcare professional, to reduce a patient's polypharmacy. Over the past 30 years, the number of U.S. adults who report taking five or more prescription drugs has risen by 12.8% for adults age 45 to 64 years and 28.4% for adults age 65 or older. Therefore, the authors said, deprescription to improve outcomes and manage polypharmacy in primary care has increased as well.