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Modern medicine has given us remarkable tools — but sometimes, the tools that once helped us can start to hold us back. Many people find themselves taking a growing list of prescriptions over the years, often without a clear plan for when or how to stop. This is where deprescribing and goal-concordant care come in — two powerful approaches that bring your treatment plan back in sync with you.

 

 

What Is Deprescribing?

 

Deprescribing is the thoughtful, evidence-based process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be helpful, or may even be causing harm. It’s not about being “anti-medication.” It’s about being pro-person — ensuring that every medicine you take still serves your health goals, your stage of life, and your overall well-being.

As a pharmacist, I often say: adding a medication is only half the story. The other half is knowing when it’s time to step back, re-evaluate, and simplify.

 

 

Why Goal-Concordant Care Matters

 

“Goal-concordant care” means that your treatment plan — whether it involves medication, nutrition, or lifestyle — matches what you value most. Maybe your goal is to stay sharp and independent, travel, or keep up with your grandkids. Maybe it’s to reduce side effects, or to minimize the mental load of managing too many pills.

 

When care aligns with your goals, it leads to:

 

• Fewer unnecessary medications

• Lower risk of side effects and drug interactions

• Improved energy, focus, and mood

• Greater clarity and peace of mind

 

 

The Process: Collaborative and Compassionate

 

Deprescribing isn’t about cutting medications overnight. It’s a collaborative process — one that involves you, your prescribers, and a pharmacist who understands both the science and the “why” behind your treatment.

 

Here’s how we typically approach it:

 

1. Clarify your goals – What matters most to you right now?
2. Review your medication list – We look for overlaps, outdated prescriptions, and side effects that may be affecting your quality of life.
3. Assess benefits vs. risks – Based on your current health, age, and priorities.
4. Create a safe, stepwise plan – Gradually tapering where appropriate, while monitoring closely.
5. Replace with support – Integrating lifestyle strategies and functional medicine tools to support your body’s healing and resilience.

 

 

It’s About More Than Pills

 

Deprescribing is part of a bigger shift — from “disease management” to health creation. It’s about reclaiming ownership of your health story and making sure every choice you and your care team make moves you toward a life that feels good, not just one that looks good on paper.

 

 

Let’s Redesign Your Medication Plan Around You

 

If you’ve ever wondered whether all your medications are still necessary, or if you’ve felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with them, you’re not alone. Together, we can explore your prescriptions through a functional medicine lens — one that honors your goals, your biology, and your life.

 

Schedule a no-pressure consultation to discuss your medication goals and discover whether deprescribing could help you simplify your health plan.