Medication Reduction Targeting Medication Reduction Strategies: Patients on multiple medications (>8) People taking a drug to counteract side effects of another drug Selected drugs have been identified as generally inappropriate for older adults, due to poor tolerability. These include: long-active sedative hypnotics amitriptyline indocin and phenylbutazone chlorpropamide propoxyphene muscle relaxants others Adverse Drug Withdrawal Reactions: A new area of inquiry Generally drug withdrawal is well tolerated Monitor more closely for cardiovascular medications and CNS acting, such as anticonvulsants, during withdrawal Patient education about risks and benefits of medication reduction; patient/families may be resistant to discontinue long-used medications Proceed to The Future Back to Module Content