Polypharmacy, often defined as taking five or more medications at the same time, has been associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. Therapy with a medication is initiated when the patient and care team conclude that the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the risks of not starting therapy. However, over time, patients and their conditions or goals of care change, new evidence is discovered, and other factors can tip the balance, such that the benefits no longer outweigh the risks or burdens of continued treatment. Few, if any, medications should be continued on a lifelong basis. Patients and caregivers should be made aware of the planned duration of therapy and the outcomes desired, and should feel empowered to follow up with providers to ensure that the benefits of therapy continue to outweigh the risks. The performance of medication reconciliation and transitions of care—such as admission to or discharge from a hospital—may serve as critical activities for deciding whether to continue therapy or create a plan to safely stop a medication.
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