How to Talk to Your Doctor About Reducing Unnecessary Medications

Many older adults take five or more medications every day. Some of these pills were prescribed years ago for conditions that have changed-or even disappeared. But the prescriptions keep rolling in. You might feel tired all the time, dizzy when you stand up, or confused after taking your evening meds. You think, “Maybe I don’t need all of these.” But you don’t know how to bring it up without sounding like you’re questioning your doctor’s judgment.

The truth is, you’re not alone. About 68% of seniors want to take fewer pills, but only 1 in 5 actually talk to their doctor about it. That’s not because they’re okay with the side effects. It’s because they don’t know how to start the conversation. And doctors rarely bring it up first. That’s where you come in.

Why Deprescribing Matters More Than You Think

Deprescribing isn’t about stopping medicine because you’re lazy or want to save money. It’s about removing drugs that no longer help-or worse, hurt you. For seniors taking five or more medications, the risk of dangerous side effects jumps to 15%. That means one in six people on multiple pills could end up in the hospital from something as simple as a fall caused by dizziness or confusion.

Some medications lose their benefit over time. Take statins for cholesterol, for example. If you’re 82 with heart disease but no history of heart attacks, the long-term benefit of lowering cholesterol may be minimal. Meanwhile, muscle pain, memory issues, and fatigue from the drug could be making your daily life harder. Or consider sleeping pills. You might have started them after a bad night during a hospital stay. Five years later, you’re still taking them-and waking up groggy, unsteady, and at risk for falls.

Deprescribing means carefully stopping or lowering doses of drugs where the risks now outweigh the benefits. It’s not a one-time decision. It’s a process. And it starts with a conversation.

What to Say (and What Not to Say)

Don’t say: “I want to take fewer pills.”

That sounds vague. Doctors hear it all the time-and often dismiss it. They’re trained to treat conditions, not reduce pill counts. If you say you want fewer pills, they might assume you’re skipping doses or worried about cost. Neither is the real issue.

Instead, say: “I’ve noticed I feel dizzy after I take my blood pressure pill in the morning. I’ve fallen twice this month, and I’m scared I’ll break a hip. I want to keep living independently. Could we look at whether I still need all these meds?”

That’s powerful. You’re not asking to stop meds. You’re connecting the medication to a real-life consequence: falling. And you’re linking it to your goal: staying independent. Studies show this approach works 89% of the time.

Another effective phrase: “I’ve been reading about how some older adults stop certain meds because they cause brain fog. I’ve noticed I forget names or get confused after lunch. Is it possible any of my pills could be doing that?”

People respond better to stories than statistics. Tell your doctor how the medicine affects your life-not what the label says.

Prepare Before Your Appointment

Walking in without a plan is like showing up to a job interview without a resume. You need to be ready.

Step 1: Make a full list of everything you take. Not just prescriptions. Include vitamins, herbal supplements, over-the-counter painkillers, and even antacids. Many seniors forget these. One study found 23% of patients leave out at least one OTC or supplement-and that missing pill is often the culprit.

Step 2: Write down side effects. Don’t say “I feel bad.” Say: “I get dizzy 90 minutes after taking my metoprolol. It happens 4 days a week. I had to cancel my Wednesday walks twice last month.” Specifics matter.

Step 3: Pick 1 or 2 meds to focus on. Don’t try to tackle them all at once. Choose the ones causing the most trouble. Use the Beers Criteria or STOPP/START guidelines (both are free online) to check if any of your meds are flagged as risky for seniors. Print a page or two from a trusted source like the Canadian Deprescribing Network. Bring it with you.

Step 4: Write down your goal. What do you want to be able to do? Walk to the mailbox? Play with your grandkids? Sleep through the night? Tie your own shoes? Write it down. Then connect it to your meds: “I want to walk to church without falling. I think my sleeping pill and blood pressure med might be making me unsteady.”

Step 5: Ask for time. When you schedule the appointment, say: “I’d like to have a 15-minute medication review.” Don’t say “I have a question.” That invites a 5-minute answer. You need time.

Use the Ask-Tell-Ask Method

This is a proven communication tool used by doctors themselves. Here’s how to use it:

1. Ask: “What’s your view on how my medications are working for me right now?”
2. Tell: “I’ve noticed I’ve been dizzy after taking my hydrochlorothiazide. I’ve fallen twice. I’m worried about my balance. I’d like to see if we can reduce it or stop it.”
3. Ask again: “What’s the safest way to test if I can reduce this? Could we lower the dose for a month and check in?”

This turns the conversation from a debate into a collaboration. You’re not demanding. You’re inviting. And doctors respond better to that.

Expect Pushback-And How to Handle It

Your doctor might say: “This medicine is for your heart.” Or: “We can’t stop it without risking a stroke.”

That’s normal. But here’s what you can say back:

• “I understand it helped before. But my health has changed. My blood pressure has been stable for two years. Is it still needed?”
• “Can we try reducing it slowly? I’m willing to monitor how I feel.”
• “Could we schedule a follow-up in 4 weeks to check my balance and energy?”

Doctors are more likely to agree to a trial than a permanent stop. A “drug holiday”-cutting the dose by 25% for a month-is a common first step. Most successful deprescribing happens this way.

If your doctor says, “We’ll talk next year,” don’t give up. Say: “I’d like to bring this up again at my next visit. Can we write it down so I don’t forget?” Then add it to your notes.

What If They Say No?

It happens. Sometimes the risks are real. Sometimes the doctor doesn’t have enough time. But if you’ve been clear, specific, and prepared, they’re more likely to at least agree to a trial.

If they refuse outright, ask: “What would it take for us to reconsider this in the future?” That opens the door. Maybe they want a lab test. Maybe they want to consult a pharmacist. Maybe they need to see your blood pressure logs for three months.

Write down their answer. Then do it. Bring the results back. You’ve done your part. Now it’s their turn to act.

Success Stories Are Real

One woman, 79, took eight pills a day. She was always tired. Couldn’t walk far. Her grandkids said she seemed “distant.” She brought her list to her doctor and said: “I want to play with my grandkids without falling asleep on the couch.”

The doctor found three meds that were outdated: a sleep aid she’d been on for 8 years, a cholesterol drug that no longer matched her risk profile, and a diuretic that was making her dehydrated. Over six months, they tapered them out. She started walking every morning. She took her grandkids to the park. She told her doctor: “I feel like myself again.”

Another man, 84, took five blood pressure pills. His pressure was consistently low-90/60. He felt weak. He asked: “Do I really need all five?” The doctor cut three. His energy returned. He stopped using his cane.

These aren’t miracles. They’re results of clear communication.

What’s Changing Right Now

The rules are shifting. Medicare now requires doctors to review medications during the Annual Wellness Visit. Electronic health records now flag risky prescriptions for seniors. The CDC launched “Right Size My Meds” in 2023 to help patients understand when to question their meds.

But the biggest change? Patients are starting to speak up. And when they do, 92% of doctors say they’re more willing to make changes.

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be clear. You don’t need to convince your doctor you’re right. You just need to show them how your meds are affecting your life-and ask for help fixing it.

Next Steps: What to Do Today

• Grab a notebook. Write down every pill, supplement, and OTC drug you take.
• Next to each, write one side effect you’ve noticed.
• Write down one thing you want to do that you can’t do right now because of your meds.
• When you call to schedule your next appointment, say: “I’d like 15 minutes for a medication review.”

You’re not asking to stop medicine. You’re asking to live better.