Patient-centred Deprescribing of Psychotropic, Sedative and Anticholinergic Medication in Elderly Patients With Polypharmacy

Older adults are frequently prescribed multiple medications (polypharmacy), including drugs that affect the brain and nervous system — sleep medications, opioids, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and others. While these can be necessary, they also carry significant risks in elderly patients including falls, cognitive decline, and adverse drug interactions. Deprescribing — carefully and systematically reducing unnecessary medications — can improve health outcomes, but it requires careful coordination between doctors and pharmacists. This study tests a patient-centred deprescribing programme for people aged 65 and older who take 5 or more medications including at least one potentially inappropriate psychotropic/sedative/anticholinergic drug. Participants must be capable of giving consent and have a regular GP and pharmacy. People with terminal illness, severe psychiatric conditions, or inability to participate in questionnaires and appointments are excluded. Polypharmacy in the elderly is a growing patient safety issue as populations age. A structured, collaborative GP-pharmacist approach to safely reducing inappropriate medications could prevent falls, hospitalizations, and cognitive problems — improving both quality and length of life for older adults.