How to Talk to Your Doctor About Reducing Unnecessary Medications

Many older adults take five or more medications every day. Some of these were prescribed years ago for conditions that have changed-or even disappeared. Yet they’re still on the list. This isn’t rare. It’s common. And it’s risky. Taking too many drugs can lead to dizziness, confusion, falls, kidney stress, and worse. The good news? You don’t have to keep taking them all. You can talk to your doctor about cutting back. But how do you start that conversation without sounding like you’re questioning their judgment? Here’s how to do it right.

Why This Conversation Matters

More than 15% of seniors on five or more medications experience harmful side effects from them. These aren’t just minor issues. They’re falls that break hips, memory lapses that lead to missed appointments, fatigue that steals independence. Medications that once helped-like blood pressure pills, sleep aids, or cholesterol drugs-can become more harmful than helpful as you age or your health changes. That’s where deprescribing comes in. It’s not about stopping everything. It’s about removing what’s no longer needed so you can feel better, not just survive.

Doctors don’t always bring this up. A 2023 study found that 68% of seniors would welcome fewer pills-if their doctor suggested it. But only 1 in 4 doctors initiate the talk. That means the ball is often in your court. And that’s okay. You’re not being difficult. You’re being smart.

Prepare Before You Walk In

Walking into an appointment with a vague wish like “I want to take fewer pills” rarely works. Doctors hear that all the time-and often dismiss it. What works is specificity.

• Write down every medication-including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. Many people forget the antacids, melatonin, or fish oil they take daily. These matter too.
• Note side effects. Don’t say “I feel tired.” Say: “I get dizzy two hours after taking my blood pressure pill, and I’ve nearly fallen three times this month.” Include timing, frequency, and impact.
• Choose 1-2 medications to focus on. Pick the ones you suspect are causing problems. Maybe it’s the sleeping pill that leaves you groggy in the morning, or the statin that gives you muscle pain. Don’t try to tackle all of them at once.
• Know your goal. What do you want to do more of? Walk in the park? Play with your grandkids? Sleep through the night? Tie your medication concerns to that. “I want to hike with my grandson without feeling wobbly” is far more powerful than “I want to take fewer pills.”

Bring a printed copy of your list. Use the Beers Criteria or STOPP/START guidelines if you’ve looked them up-these are trusted tools doctors use to spot unnecessary meds. You don’t need to quote them, but having them ready shows you’ve done your homework.

Use the Right Language

How you say it matters more than what you say. Research shows that patients who frame deprescribing around quality of life have 89% more success than those who talk about cost or convenience.

Avoid phrases like:

• “I just want to take fewer pills.”
• “This one’s too expensive.”
• “I don’t think I need it anymore.”

Instead, try:

• “I’ve noticed I feel off after taking this pill. I’m worried it’s making me unsteady.”
• “My goal is to stay independent and not fall. Do you think this medication is helping with that?”
• “I’ve been reading about how some meds can cause confusion in older adults. Could we look at whether any of mine might be doing that?”

One study found that phrases like “Some of your medications may be hurting more than helping by affecting your balance and focus” were rated as the most convincing by patients. That’s because it speaks to something real-your safety, your dignity, your daily life.

Use the Ask-Tell-Ask Method

This is a proven communication tool used by top clinicians. It turns a one-sided lecture into a conversation.

1. Ask: “What’s your view on how my medications are working for me right now?”
2. Tell: “I’ve been having dizziness after my afternoon pill, and I’m worried it’s increasing my fall risk. I’d like to see if we could reduce it.”
3. Ask: “What’s the safest way to test if cutting back on this would help?”

This approach removes defensiveness. It invites collaboration. And it gives your doctor a clear path forward.

Expect Gradual Changes

Deprescribing isn’t a switch. It’s a slow turn. Most successful cases involve reducing doses over weeks or months-not stopping cold turkey. Your doctor might suggest a “drug holiday” (taking a break for a few days to see how you feel) or lowering the dose by 25% every few weeks.

Ask: “How will we know if it’s working?”

They’ll likely want to monitor you. That’s normal. Bring up what signs to watch for: increased pain, trouble sleeping, mood changes. Ask if you should schedule a follow-up in 2-4 weeks. Many patients who don’t set a follow-up end up stuck with the same meds for another year.

Bring Evidence (Without Overwhelming)

You don’t need to argue with your doctor. But having a printed summary from a trusted source helps. The Canadian Deprescribing Guidelines, for example, offer clear, evidence-backed advice for 5 major drug classes-like benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, and proton pump inhibitors. If you’ve read about one of your meds there, bring the page. It’s not about proving them wrong. It’s about showing you’re serious about safety.

Studies show patients who bring this kind of material are 33% more likely to have a medication reduced.

What If They Say No?

Sometimes, doctors hesitate. Maybe they’re worried about rebound symptoms. Maybe they’re unsure. That doesn’t mean the answer is no forever.

Try saying: “I understand you’re cautious. Could we try a small reduction for four weeks and see how I feel? If I don’t get worse, maybe we keep going?”

Or: “Could we get a second opinion from a geriatric pharmacist? I’ve heard they specialize in this.”

Many hospitals now have medication therapy management services. Ask if yours offers one. Medicare covers them for seniors on multiple drugs.

It’s Not About Being Difficult

A lot of seniors worry they’ll be seen as “hard to please” if they question their meds. But here’s the truth: doctors want you to feel better. They just don’t always know how to start the conversation. When you bring clear concerns, specific goals, and a willingness to monitor results, you’re not being difficult. You’re being the best kind of patient-the one who partners in care.

One Reddit user, NanaCaregiver87, kept a journal tracking how each pill affected her grandmother’s balance and energy. She brought it to her appointment. Three medications were cut. Within two months, her grandmother was walking without a cane for the first time in years.

Another user, MedConfused45, just said, “I want fewer pills.” The doctor dismissed it. No change. No follow-up.

The difference? Preparation. Purpose. Partnership.

What’s Changing in 2025

This isn’t just your personal journey. It’s becoming standard care. Medicare now requires doctors to review medications during the Annual Wellness Visit. Electronic health records now flag high-risk prescriptions for seniors. The American Geriatrics Society says all patients 65+ on five or more drugs should get a deprescribing check every year.

And it’s working. Since 2023, patient-initiated deprescribing conversations have grown by 65%. More people are learning how to speak up-and more doctors are learning how to listen.

Final Thought: Your Health, Your Goals

Medications aren’t trophies. They’re tools. And like any tool, they should serve you-not the other way around. If a pill is making you too tired to enjoy your mornings, or too dizzy to walk to the mailbox, it’s not helping. It’s holding you back.

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be clear. Write down what’s bothering you. Link it to what you love doing. Ask for a plan. And don’t accept silence as an answer.

Your body isn’t the same as it was five years ago. Your medications shouldn’t be either.