Many people over 65 take five or more medications every day. Some of those pills might not even be helping anymore-but they’re still costing you money. A 72-year-old woman in Ohio was paying $120 a month for a sleep aid she hadn’t needed in two years. She was also taking two supplements her cardiologist said were redundant with her prescription drugs. After a simple conversation with her doctor, she stopped all three. Her annual medication bill dropped by $840. That’s not a miracle. It’s deprescribing.
What Is Deprescribing (And Why It’s Not Just Stopping Pills)
Deprescribing isn’t about quitting meds cold turkey. It’s a planned, step-by-step process where you and your doctor review every medication you’re taking-and decide which ones you can safely stop or reduce. The goal? Remove drugs that don’t do enough good to justify their risks or their price tag. It’s not a new idea. Canadian doctors started formalizing it around 2010. In the U.S., the Deprescribing Research Network launched in 2018. Since then, studies have shown that up to 41% of older adults are taking at least five medications, and about one in three of those are unnecessary or harmful. The American Geriatrics Society calls this medication overload. And it’s expensive. A single $50-a-month pill you don’t need costs $600 a year. But the real savings come from avoiding hospital stays. One medication-related hospitalization averages $15,700. Kaiser Permanente cut those events by 28% in just a few years by systematically reviewing medications-and saved $1.2 million annually across their system.Why You Might Be Taking Pills You Don’t Need
Doctors often prescribe medications for specific problems: high blood pressure, acid reflux, insomnia, joint pain. But over time, your body changes. Your health shifts. New conditions appear. And sometimes, the original reason for a drug disappears-but the prescription keeps rolling. Take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), like omeprazole. They’re great for short-term heartburn. But many people stay on them for years-even when their symptoms are gone. A 2021 study found that stopping PPIs saved patients $420 a year and lowered their risk of pneumonia by 25%. That’s right: the drug meant to help digestion might actually be making you more likely to get sick. Same goes for statins. If you’re over 75 and have no history of heart disease, continuing a statin might not extend your life. But it still costs $100-$300 a month. And it can cause muscle pain, liver stress, or even diabetes. Then there are supplements. A Reddit user named SeniorSaver87 stopped taking a $90-a-month vitamin D supplement after a blood test showed his levels were normal. He also quit a $75-a-month herbal remedy his pharmacist said had no proven benefit. He saved $1,980 a year. The problem? Most people don’t know what they’re taking-or why. One study found that patients bring an average of 2.3 unnecessary medications to their doctor’s office when they do a “brown bag review.” That’s just one visit.How to Start the Conversation With Your Doctor
You don’t need to wait for your annual checkup. If you’re paying more than $500 a year for meds you’re not sure about, it’s time to ask. Start by making a complete list of everything you take. Not just prescriptions. Include:- Over-the-counter pills (ibuprofen, antacids, sleep aids)
- Vitamins and supplements
- Herbal remedies (turmeric, melatonin, ginkgo)
- Topical creams or patches
- Any meds prescribed by specialists (cardiologist, neurologist, etc.)
“I’ve been reviewing my meds because I’m trying to cut costs and avoid side effects. Can we go through each one and see which ones I still need?”Doctors want to help. But they’re busy. The average visit lasts just 15.7 minutes. The more prepared you are, the more likely they’ll take the time.
Questions to Ask About Every Medication
Don’t just nod along. Ask these five questions for each drug:- Why am I taking this? What condition is it treating? Is that condition still active?
- What benefits am I getting? Is it improving my energy, sleep, pain, or lifespan? Or is it just keeping a lab number in range?
- What are the risks? Could it cause dizziness, falls, memory issues, or stomach bleeding? (Many meds do.)
- Can I stop or lower the dose? Is there a way to taper off safely? Do I need to stop all at once?
- Who do I call if something changes? What symptoms should I watch for after stopping? When should I come back?
What Happens When You Stop a Medication?
You might worry about withdrawal or rebound effects. That’s valid. Stopping blood pressure meds too fast can spike your pressure. Stopping antidepressants suddenly can cause brain zaps or nausea. That’s why deprescribing is never random. Good deprescribing means tapering slowly-usually over 4 to 12 weeks. Your doctor will tell you how to reduce the dose, not stop it cold. You might go from one pill a day to half a pill, then every other day, then stop. Some meds are easier to quit than others. Sleep aids, acid reflux drugs, and supplements often come off cleanly. Blood thinners, seizure meds, or heart medications need careful monitoring. A 2019 BMJ study found that 12% of patients who stopped antihypertensives too quickly had dangerous blood pressure spikes. That’s why you never do this alone.Who Can Help You Beyond Your Doctor?
Your pharmacist is your secret weapon. Community pharmacies now offer free Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services under Medicare Part D. These aren’t just refill reminders. A trained pharmacist will:- Check for duplicates (you’re taking two drugs that do the same thing)
- Spot dangerous interactions
- Find cheaper generic alternatives
- Identify meds that are no longer needed
How Much Can You Really Save?
Let’s do the math. - One $50/month pill you don’t need = $600/year - Three unnecessary pills = $1,800/year - Avoiding one medication-related ER visit = $1,500-$15,700 saved - Switching from brand-name to generic = $100-$300/month saved Kaiser Permanente’s program cut costs by $47 per member per month. That’s over $560 a year per person. The Lown Institute estimates that inappropriate polypharmacy costs the U.S. system $30 billion a year. Medicare beneficiaries could save $2.8 billion annually just by stopping the right drugs. And now, thanks to the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act, insulin is capped at $35/month. That’s huge. But the law also expands coverage for comprehensive medication reviews. You’re entitled to them. Use them.
What If Your Doctor Says No?
Sometimes, doctors hesitate. They fear you’ll get worse. Or they’re worried about liability. Or they’re overwhelmed. If your doctor says, “I’m not comfortable stopping this,” ask:“Can we try reducing the dose for 30 days and see how I feel? Can we schedule a follow-up?”You can also ask for a second opinion from a geriatrician or a pharmacist. Many hospitals have geriatric clinics that specialize in this. And if you’re on Medicare Advantage, your plan may offer a care coordinator who can help arrange a medication review. Don’t give up. You’re not asking for a favor. You’re asking for safe, smart care.
Real People, Real Savings
- A 78-year-old man in Florida stopped a $110/month cholesterol drug after his doctor confirmed his heart risk was low. He saved $1,320 a year and noticed less muscle pain. - A woman in Michigan quit a $70/month sleep aid after realizing she hadn’t used it in 18 months. Her anxiety improved once she stopped relying on pills to fall asleep. - A couple in Arizona stopped taking two expensive supplements their wellness coach pushed. Their annual pharmacy bill dropped by $2,100. These aren’t outliers. They’re people who asked the right questions.What to Watch For After Stopping a Medication
After you stop a drug, pay attention for 4-8 weeks. Keep a simple journal:- Did your sleep change?
- Do you feel more dizzy or tired?
- Did your pain come back?
- Any new symptoms?