Deprescribing in older adults- What we know

Send us Fan MailEpisode Overview: Deprescribing is not the withdrawal of care—it is a sophisticated, highly planned, and person-centred element of good prescribing. In this episode of Synapse, we unpack the clinical mechanics of safely reducing or stopping medications in older adults experiencing polypharmacy. Drawing directly from the latest Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) Clinical Practice Guidelines, we move past broad generalizations to give you the exact timelines, step-down formulas, and safety-netting protocols you need for your next consult.What We Cover in This Episode:The Deprescribing Framework: How to approach the structured medication review using the lenses of indication, benefit, harm, and patient-specific goals.The Absolute Red Flags: The critical clinical boundaries you cannot cross without specialist input—including the absolute non-negotiables of Denosumab management, the 2-year antiepileptic rule, and managing SGLT2i/GLP-1 therapies for cardiovascular protection independent of HbA1c.Class-Specific Tapering Blueprints: A granular breakdown of which common medications can be stopped cold (like iron, calcium, or oral hypoglycaemics) versus the precise step-down protocols required for PPIs, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, high-dose loop diuretics, and Benzodiazepines.Mastering the Follow-Up: How to confidently identify Adverse Drug Withdrawal Events (ADWEs)—such as withdrawal-emergent extrapyramidal movements or rebound acid hypersecretion—and execute an airtight GP monitoring schedule to support your patients safely.GP Fellowship exams, AMC MCQ Recalls, AMC Clinical Exam criteria, Australian therapeutic guidelines, PESCI preparation. ⚠️ Disclaimer: The voices in this podcast are AI-generated. This content is produced for educational and learning purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made in accordance with current guidelines, individual patient circumstances, and in consultation with appropriate colleagues and specialists.Support the show⚠️ Disclaimer: The voices in this podcast are AI-generated. This content is produced for entertainment and learning purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made in accordance with current guidelines, individual patient circumstances, and in consultation with appropriate colleagues and specialists.