How to Talk to Your Doctor About Reducing Unnecessary Medications

Many older adults take five or more medications every day. Some of them help. Others might not be doing much anymore - but they’re still on the list. That’s not unusual. It’s also not safe. Taking too many drugs increases the risk of dizziness, confusion, falls, and hospital visits. The good news? You don’t have to just live with it. You can talk to your doctor about reducing what you don’t need. This is called deprescribing.

Why Deprescribing Matters for Seniors

Deprescribing isn’t about stopping all your meds. It’s about removing the ones that don’t help anymore - or that do more harm than good. For example, a blood pressure pill that once kept your numbers in range might now be making you too dizzy to walk to the bathroom. Or a statin prescribed years ago for high cholesterol might still be in your routine even though your heart health has improved.

Studies show that 15% of seniors on five or more medications experience harmful side effects each year. And here’s the kicker: 68% of older adults say they’d like to take fewer pills - but only 1 in 5 ever bring it up with their doctor. That’s because most people assume their doctor will notice and act. But doctors are busy. They’re often focused on treating new problems, not reviewing old prescriptions. So if you want to reduce your meds, you need to start the conversation.

What to Say - and What Not to Say

Don’t walk in saying, “I want to take fewer pills.” That’s too vague. Doctors hear that all the time and may dismiss it. Instead, tie your request to something real in your life.

Try this: “I’ve been feeling dizzy after I take my morning pills. I used to walk to the park with my grandkids, but now I’m afraid I’ll fall. I’m wondering if any of these meds could be causing that.”

Research shows this approach works 89% of the time. Why? Because it connects the medicine to your daily life. Doctors respond better to goals like “I want to sleep through the night,” “I want to cook without forgetting ingredients,” or “I want to get up without help” than they do to abstract requests like “less medication.”

Avoid phrases like “I can’t afford these” or “I don’t have long to live.” While those might be true, they often shut down the conversation. Most doctors avoid discussing cost or prognosis unless the patient brings it up directly - and even then, they may feel uncomfortable. Focus on how the meds affect your ability to live well today.

Prepare Before Your Appointment

Don’t rely on memory. Write it down.

• Make a full list of everything you take - including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Don’t forget the aspirin you take for heart health or the melatonin you use for sleep.
• Write down any side effects you’ve noticed. Be specific: “Dizziness starts 2 hours after taking my blood pressure pill, happens 3 times a week.”
• Choose 1 or 2 meds you’re most concerned about. Don’t try to tackle all of them at once.
• Think about one goal: What do you want to be able to do that you can’t do right now because of side effects?

Bring this list with you. Studies show that patients who come prepared are 37% more likely to have at least one medication reduced. And if you have printed info from trusted sources like the Canadian Deprescribing Guidelines, you’ll increase your chances by another 33%. You don’t need to be an expert - just show you’ve done your homework.

Use the Ask-Tell-Ask Method

This simple three-step technique turns a one-sided chat into a real conversation.

1. Ask: “What’s your view on how my medications are working for me right now?” This opens the door without sounding confrontational.
2. Tell: “I’ve been having trouble with dizziness and fatigue. I think it might be from one or more of these pills. I’d like to see if we can try reducing one of them.”
3. Ask: “What would be the safest way to test if we could lower the dose - or stop it?”

This method works because it invites collaboration. It tells your doctor you’re not demanding change - you’re asking for help making a smart, safe choice. Research shows patients who use this approach are 58% more likely to get a deprescribing plan.

Expect a Gradual Plan - Not a Quick Fix

Doctors won’t suddenly pull a pill off your list. That’s dangerous. Most successful deprescribing happens slowly. You might start with a 25% dose reduction, then wait a few weeks to see how you feel. Or you might stop one med for a week (a “drug holiday”) and see if symptoms improve.

Be ready to talk about monitoring. Your doctor will want to know: “How will we know if it’s working?” That means agreeing on what to watch for - like sleep, balance, energy, or confusion - and scheduling a follow-up in 2-4 weeks. Some people keep a simple journal: “Day 3: Less dizzy after lunch. Still taking nap after dinner.” That kind of detail gives your doctor confidence to keep going.

What If Your Doctor Says No?

It happens. Sometimes it’s because the medication is still needed. Sometimes it’s because they’re unsure. Don’t take it personally.

If they say no, ask: “What would it take for us to reconsider this in the future?” That keeps the door open. You might say, “If my dizziness doesn’t improve in two months, can we revisit this?”

Or ask for a referral. You can say, “Could you recommend a geriatric pharmacist or a specialist who focuses on medication reviews?” Many hospitals and clinics now offer these services - especially for seniors on multiple drugs.

It’s Not Just About Pills - It’s About Your Life

Deprescribing isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about choosing quality over quantity. One less pill might mean you can walk to the mailbox without help. It might mean you can remember your granddaughter’s birthday. It might mean you stop feeling like a walking pharmacy.

Medications are tools. Tools that were useful once. But tools that can become burdens. You have the right to ask: “Is this still helping me live the life I want?”

The system isn’t perfect. Doctors aren’t always trained in deprescribing. But you’re not powerless. You’re the expert on how you feel. And you’re the one who lives with the side effects. That gives you the power to start this conversation.

What’s Changed in 2025

Things are shifting. In 2024, Medicare made medication reviews part of the Annual Wellness Visit - meaning you can now get a full meds checkup at no extra cost. Electronic health records now flag potentially risky drugs for seniors automatically. And public awareness campaigns like the CDC’s “Right Size My Meds” have reached millions.

But the biggest change? More seniors are speaking up. In 2023, only 12% of patients initiated deprescribing talks. By 2025, that number has jumped to 31%. And when patients lead the conversation, doctors succeed 92% of the time.

You don’t need to wait for someone else to start this. You’re already ahead just by reading this. Now it’s time to take the next step.

Next Steps: What to Do Today

• Write down every medication you take - even the ones you only take once in a while.
• Circle the top 1-2 you’re most worried about.
• Think of one thing you want to do better - walk, sleep, cook, remember names - and how your meds might be getting in the way.
• Call your doctor’s office and say: “I’d like to schedule a 20-minute appointment to review my medications.” Don’t say “check-up.” Say “medication review.” That tells them you mean business.
• Bring your list and your goal to the appointment.

You don’t need permission to want to feel better. You don’t need to wait for someone else to fix it. You’re not asking for a favor - you’re asking for the care you deserve. And you’re not alone. Thousands of seniors are doing this right now. You can too.