Stop taking non-essential medicines

Despite the enormous benefits of prescription drugs, most medicines do not need to be taken life long. All too often, prescriptions may be continued even when they are no longer needed. Lots of opportunities exist for patients and doctors to unprescribe, yet frequently these opportunities are overlooked. Here are just a few examples of how medicines may be continued indefinitely even when they're not needed:

Sometimes medicines started during a hospital stay may be stopped

Sometimes medicines are begun during a hospital stay to treat a short-term condition such as heartburn, constipation, or difficulty sleeping. Often, these medicines are not stopped at the end of the hospital stay, even though they're no longer needed once the patient goes home.

Some medicines can be replaced with diet and exercise

Many medicines are used to treat conditions which can also be treated through changes in behavior, such as diet and exercise. For example, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can all improve with changes in diet and physical activity. Talk with your doctor about whether you could substitute diet and exercise for some of your medications. That way, you can live healthier and save money at the same time.

Some medicines may be taken on an as needed basis

Some medicines are safe to be used on an as needed basis. For example, for many patients, treatments for arthritis and heartburn can be taken when symptoms arise instead of every day.

Sometimes medicines may no longer be needed because goals of care have changed

For older seniors and others who may be approaching the end of their life, preventive treatments such as medicines to prevent osteoporosis or heart disease may no longer be needed. Despite this, these treatments are often continued long beyond when they actually will benefit the patient.

Unprescribing is NOT something that you should do on your own - talk with your doctor BEFORE you stop any of your medications.