Medications and Deprescribing
Today we discuss medications, polypharmacy, and deprescribing.
We are joined by clinical pharmacist Dr. Douglas Gugel-Bryant, PharmD, BCPS for this week’s conversation. Doug received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biochemistry from Capital University in Bexley, OH. He received his Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2017 from the Northeast Ohio Medical University. He went on to do a post-graduate residency program with the Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Pharmacotherapy. Doug moved to Fargo after finishing residency and has been a part of our clinic for over one year. His current role is Medical Home Pharmacist for the Sanford Internal Medicine Clinic. A majority of his work is on diabetes patient management and transitions of care. He is also a pharmacy resource for the clinic. Outside of work, Doug plays tennis and solo-acoustic fingerstyle guitar.
We discuss the following:
What is polypharmacy and why does it need to be evaluated?
What is deprescribing? Why is it important?
How do clinicians balance the benefits of medication versus potential interactions and side effects?
How do age and health impact the benefits of medications?
Which medications should be evaluated for deprescribing? What potential side effects do these medications have as individuals age?
What is the process of deprescribing? Can medications be stopped abruptly?
What are barriers to stopping medication?
Resources:
https://www.healthinaging.org/medications-older-adults
Health pearl:
Schedule an appointment with your clinician to discuss your medications, goals, and deprescribing.